1
as in accumulation
a mass or quantity that has piled up or that has been gathered over a period of time
a thick accretion of ice in a freezer that obviously had not been cleaned for some time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
accretions of lime have thickened the cave's stalactites and stalagmites over the centuries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of accretion
There’s also the potential for a trace of ice accretion.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The two women’s stories crystallize only gradually in the course of the feature, through the accretion of tiny details that, like the arrival of the hostess in the first shot, emerge amid a profusion of related distractions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Current models of super-Eddington accretion predict that these features should be weakened or absent when growth becomes so extreme.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
Over time, through a natural process known as accretion, the river slowly deposited the material that now forms Sawmill Island.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The two women’s stories crystallize only gradually in the course of the feature, through the accretion of tiny details that, like the arrival of the hostess in the first shot, emerge amid a profusion of related distractions.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
Current models of super-Eddington accretion predict that these features should be weakened or absent when growth becomes so extreme.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026
Over time, through a natural process known as accretion, the river slowly deposited the material that now forms Sawmill Island.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accretion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accretion
Noun
-
Adept at separating the unseen from the seen, Lemann here chronicles his family’s accumulation of wealth, whatever the moral costs or compromises, and their subsequent acculturation and partial deracination.—
Brenda Wineapple,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The fan guards inside the walk-in cooler had an accumulation of dust.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
April 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As Christians around the world mark Holy Week, the Catholic Church in the United States is reporting a notable increase in attendance and interest in joining the faith.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The museum’s director, Pierre-Olivier Costa, met me in the entry hall and led me through the galleries housing Mucem’s permanent exhibition of items from its collection of folk arts and popular traditions.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Agencies would have to revisit investigative protocols, evidence collection procedures and interagency coordination, among other things, the governor said.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fastball command that Niebla described as his superpower has accompanied the gains in velocity.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Statewide, some of the largest job gains during January occurred in the population-heavy urban centers of Southern California.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to Slattery, Mardie Frye, Charlie Watson and Jayde Hudson scored goals in the shootout for Centennial.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Add remaining meringue in 3 batches, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition until only a few streaks of meringue remain (err on the side of undermixing to keep the cake batter billowy).—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Basically, this treatment entails using a sample of your own blood to create a more concentrated version that’s rich in growth factors — then, that version is injected into your scalp to give your hair follicles a boost.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The next morning, the in-tent coffee machine provided a necessary boost to start the day after a good night’s sleep.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Accretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accretion. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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