augment

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb augment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of augment are enlarge, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When is it sensible to use enlarge instead of augment?

The words enlarge and augment can be used in similar contexts, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When might increase be a better fit than augment?

In some situations, the words increase and augment are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to augment?

While in some cases nearly identical to augment, 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 augment While voters are often thought to prefer butter to guns, the threat from Russia may be softening reluctance to spend money to augment military capacity. Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025 In Triple Boost mode, the electric motor and the combustion engine's efforts are augmented by the motor generator, which delivers torque straight to the crankshaft. New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025 Those moves augmented the best part of this Reds team: their young starting pitchers, including ace Hunter Greene, lefties Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott, and 22-year-old righty Rhett Lowder. Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for augment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for augment
Verb
  • Israel has also increased public funding for projects by Israeli filmmakers from West Bank settlements — the very enterprise that the film No Other Land criticizes as taking over Palestinian homes and land.
    Nuha Musleh, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The proposal would increase the budget of the seven SODCs by about $28 million, or almost 5%.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The chef shares some of her most favorite recipes and meal offerings, with hopes people expand their palates and horizons.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
  • These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.
    David Klepper, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If an earlier breakthrough occurs: Should a major quantum attack capability emerge earlier than expected, the bitcoin community can accelerate the above timeline.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • This aligns with developments in China, where the government is easing regulatory pressures on its tech sector to revitalize the economy and accelerate its AI ambitions to rival America.
    Tony Zhang, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • By creating spaces that engage multiple senses and encourage participation, businesses can inspire deeper connections, boost brand loyalty, and unlock new revenue streams.
    Rhett Power, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Even before jumping into the race, Cuomo collected an endorsement from Rep. Ritchie Torres, who is eyeing a run for governor next year, and several of his associates have launched super PACs that plan to spend millions of dollars on boosting his candidacy with ads and other outreach efforts.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For example, a healthcare provider using a unified content model can empower their staff to retrieve patient records or research data with ease, reducing the burden on management and enhancing patient experience.
    Daniel Fallmann, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hawaii represented one of the most significant strategic spots on the globe, enhancing power projection across the Pacific, east or west, and bolstering the defensive perimeter of any Pacific nation that controlled it.
    Robert W. Merry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/augment. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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