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increase

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb increase contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of increase are augment, enlarge, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," 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

When would augment be a good substitute for increase?

The words augment and increase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

In what contexts can enlarge take the place of increase?

While in some cases nearly identical to increase, enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to increase?

The words multiply and increase can be used in similar contexts, but multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 increase
Verb
Body-image issues can increase vulnerability to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Alex Vance, Parents, 18 Aug. 2025 Effective July 1, her salary will increase to $244,400. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Owner Kelly Vore cited unsustainable rent increases, declining consumer spending, and lingering effects of COVID-19 as key reasons for the closure. Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Certain travel agencies have seen a decline in travel as the cost of living increases. Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
  • However, the company opened its first cafe in New York City in 2021 and has since expanded to four locations, two in New York and two in California.
    Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The Visual Media & Platform division, which includes anime and mobile content in Japan, also expanded.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Since 1975, COLAs have been applied each year using CPI-W data from the third quarter—July through September—with the intention of keeping benefits in step with rising costs for essentials like housing, food and medical care.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The benchmark 10-year note yield rose nearly 4 basis points to 4.328%.
    Lisa Kailai Han,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There's also a special boost available for the final round of the BMW Championship.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Tax revenue isn't the only economic boost the data center boom has brought to Quincy.
    Monica Nickelsburg, NPR, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Health inspectors found old food and grease accumulation on the fan cover above the two-door freezer, on the floor beneath the back storage racks and on the wall behind the second cook line.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The best storm thus far in the northern metro dropped one quarter inch of rain, so some accumulations up to this amount are possible with any stronger storms that develop.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Leaders in this space are also looking to facilitate flight modifications via enhanced aerodynamics and real-time diagnostics—augmented by smart sensors.
    Robert Lane, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Advertisement When a crisis occurs, instead of setting up tent cities with food, education, healthcare, sanitation, and other necessary services, refugees are housed within existing communities, which have their infrastructure and facilities augmented by donor funding.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Toucan’s carbon pool grew 400% in 2024 as institutional ESG demand accelerated.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The public fight between medicine and government is now accelerating the nation onto a path where advice diverges over not just COVID shots but vaccines generally.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Welcome To The Future, Today Ultimately, robots have the potential to ease the transition from aging infrastructure to more future-ready operations, offering meaningful gains in productivity along the way.
    Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • But in this case, cinema’s loss has very much been television’s gain.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Utility officials opened a dam and released 4 billion gallons of water to raise the river's level.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Throughout the rest of the clip, Bob interviews a series of his friends before the show to get their predictions for how often Gaga will ask the crowd to raise their hands.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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