Synonyms of multiply

multiply

verb

ˈməl-tə-ˌplī 

1

as in to reproduce

to bring forth offspring

rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reproduce
• propagate
• breed
• produce
• generate
• procreate
• spawn
• have
• beget
• parent
• engender
• mother
• hatch
• get
• sire
• bear
• gender

2

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number

the booming economy multiplied the wealth of investors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• expand
• accelerate
• augment
• boost
• raise
• extend
• enhance
• amplify
• add (to)
• enlarge
• maximize
• intensify
• escalate
• swell
• reinforce
• strengthen
• compound
• build up
• aggrandize
• stoke
• pump up
• up
• supersize
• skyrocket
• lengthen
• inflate
• supplement
• develop
• jump
• hype
• heighten
• magnify
• prolong
• dilate
• elongate
• distend
• accumulate
• spike
• draw out
• complement
• bump (up)
• stretch
• flesh (out)
• boom
• ratchet (up)
• protract
• amass
• blow up
• collect
• beef (up)
• rachet (up)
• parlay
• follow up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• lessen
• subtract (from)
• downsize
• lower
• shorten
• abate
• curtail
• abbreviate
• abridge
• minify
• compress
• condense
• de-escalate
• constrict
• contract
• cut back
• retrench

3

as in to rise

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• accumulate
• intensify
• proliferate
• spread
• escalate
• enlarge
• wax
• roll up
• gain
• mount
• appreciate
• build up
• boom
• jump
• burgeon
• snowball
• surge
• heighten
• skyrocket
• mushroom
• balloon
• redouble
• inflate
• rocket
• bulk
• peak
• puff (up)
• distend
• blow up
• crescendo
• crest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• recede
• contract
• dwindle
• wane

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb multiply contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment, enlarge, and increase. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

When is it sensible to use augment instead of multiply?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When would enlarge be a good substitute for multiply?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When could increase be used to replace multiply?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age

increased her landholdings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of multiply

High temperatures damage key structural parts of these microorganisms, leaving them unable to multiply and cause infections. — Marlee Shaffer, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026

Simmons is more than a multiplying force in the middle of the defense. — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Because sprouting requires a warm, humid, dark environment, a microscopic amount of bacteria trapped on a seed coat can quickly multiply into millions of dangerous pathogens. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 2026

Since Benson and her co-authors met in Oviedo, weather catastrophes have multiplied, oceans have acidified and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has soared. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026