INCREASE Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

increase 1 of 2

verb

in-ˈkrēs

Definition of increase

as in to expand

to make greater in size, amount, or number we have to increase the number of season-ticket holders if the local sports franchise is to survive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rise

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the number of Internet users increased exponentially during the 1990s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

increase

2 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌkrēs

as in boost

something added (as by growth) shortly after he turned 12, he had a sudden height increase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accumulation

the act or process of becoming greater in number the increase in the number of students enrolled at the school was very gradual

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

In recent years, as residents’ costs of living and grocery bills have increased, rising property taxes have put more of a strain on households just trying to get by — especially in Wyandotte County. — Sofi Zeman july 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 In fact, researchers warn that regular use not only weakens healthy sleep but increases the risk of dependence. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026

Noun

SmartAsset found that while some cities saw home values drop more than 9%, others saw increases of more than 5%. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Climate change has fueled an increase in the number — and intensity — of severe weather events like wildfires, hurricanes, droughts and floods. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for increase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase

Verb

In the mid-1960s, the festival expanded from an intimate get-together among church members to a cultural exchange for the greater Sacramento community.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
San Gregorio State Beach is now roughly twice its size after expanding into the formerly private ranch, San Gregorio Ranch.

— Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Eliminating the tax credit didn’t kill the EV market entirely, however, and EV sales in the US actually rose 15% from the first quarter to the second quarter of this year.

— Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Exports of high-tech items surged nearly 41% in January-July from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55% and overall exports of electronics and machinery rose 26%.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rise

Noun

Both Kiggans and Luria come from military backgrounds, which could be a boost, given that the seat has a large veteran population due to nearby Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base.

— Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
Launching from an aircraft can also extend the missile’s effective reach, since the bomber provides an initial boost in both altitude and speed before release.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of boost

Noun

Years of private capital accumulation mean significant paper wealth, but converting it to cash is a complex, multi-year process.

— Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Other ways to reduce flares in the summer include wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics to minimize friction and sweat accumulation on plaques, showering promptly after sweating, and applying emollients to maintain your skin barrier.

— Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of accumulation

Verb

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials say Russia is augmenting its arsenal with North Korean ballistic missiles, further raising the threat.

— Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
In September 2022 these were augmented with a steadily rising drumbeat of Shahed drones, first tens, then hundreds, now thousands.

— David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of augment

Verb

While PennDOT already has created over 30 wildlife crossings, the establishment of the new cohesive group of state agency stakeholders is likely to accelerate building the safe animal passageways and reverse the high collision rate with motorists.

— Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Campbell said some people use BPC-157 in combination with another peptide known as TB-500 to accelerate healing.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of accelerate

Noun

Workers will dispute which tasks should be automated and how resulting gains should be distributed.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
But over the last 12 months, inflation has nearly kept pace with hourly wage gains — and that understates the extent of the problem because debt service costs are not included in the consumer price index.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

incorruptible

increase

increased

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Style

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of increase

verb

noun

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