1
as in to reproduce
to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of multiply Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025 The option costs an extra $1, but will multiply any winnings that aren't the jackpot by a factor of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Cancer Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025 America may weather another partisan cycle, but a broken CDC means preventable deaths will mount, avoidable suffering will multiply and the most vulnerable will once again be sacrificed on the altar of ideology. Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for multiply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply
Verb
  • Bibler is being charged with eight counts of possessing child pornography and eight counts of reproducing child pornography involving a victim under 13, officials said.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The talents are seen posing in a public bathroom with red and black tiles, reproducing the set of Michele’s sophomore Valentino ready-to-wear show, staged in a giant public toilet bathed in red light.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Stimulated mitochondria generate more ATP, while improved circulation increases blood flow and oxygenation.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Protests have also broken out due to ICE checkpoints popping up around the city and the police increasing curfew zones for minors.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Set in early-1960s New York City, the film follows a folk song singing Minnesotan with a guitar and a dream, rising from a coffeehouse performer to a counterculture legend.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Kennedy has already propagated an insidious revolution within the agencies under his control, using a playbook familiar to illiberal leaders—culling expertise, silencing critics, and weaponizing administrative procedure to grant a veneer of legitimacy to his actions.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Continue propagating mature clumps by division in spring.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32 at the start of the 1999-2000 season, with a second group stage then played before being replaced with the round of 16 in 2003-04.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This shift is reinforced by Russia’s push to expand its eastward infrastructure through the Power of Siberia pipelines cementing a more permanent divide in global energy markets.
    Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That product was built from the ground up around AI and was possible only because of AI, as opposed to augmenting an existing product with AI.
    Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During livestreams of Timmer’s tornado chases, large audiences swell and follow along in the hunt from the safety of home.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
  • These reports became a short story and then swelled to something else.
    Michael Jerome Plunkett September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Multiply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/multiply. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on multiply

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!