1
as in to accelerate
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
2
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
1
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
2
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
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
Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Tariffs of this magnitude would likely increase prices paid by U.S. shoppers, since importers typically pass along a share of the cost of those higher taxes to consumers, experts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
The House bill last month did not mention any specific tax cuts or increases.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
His administration is also insisting such levies will not increase inflation, while encouraging allies to introduce tariffs on China as well.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Tariffs of this magnitude would likely increase prices paid by U.S. shoppers, since importers typically pass along a share of the cost of those higher taxes to consumers, experts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
Dallas announced there will be an 8.61 percent average overall price increase.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
The House bill last month did not mention any specific tax cuts or increases.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
-
On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
-
However, this has accelerated in recent weeks with the administration punishing the Associated Press for editorial decisions and attacking reporters by name.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The watch includes a spinning roulette wheel in a 44-mm rose gold case.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
-
With inflation high and interest rates rising, the outlook is bleak for many Americans.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
To receive commendation from such a fairy godmother was not just a joy but a serious professional boost, and Macdonald’s reputation soared.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The service boost is a first step, and the CTA expects to add more measures, CTA Chief Innovation Officer Molly Poppe said.—
Sarah Freishtat,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The instruments include an electrodynamic dust shield, developed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, to demonstrate technology using electric fields to remove lunar dust particles and prevent accumulation on sensitive components of the spacecraft.—
Tim Stevens,
Ars Technica,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Regularly airing out a room is a simple and free way to help improve air quality and prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt, and allergens. 7.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Success in this new landscape depends on maintaining high-quality standards while effectively harnessing AI's capabilities to enhance and expand data resources.—
Deepak Yadav,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The speaker’s proposal would expand eligibility to 100% of the State Median Income, or up to $128,000 for a family of the same size, a Council source said.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Also known as Triple E, the virus swells the brain, and kills about one in three patients.—
Denise Hruby,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The imbalance swelled to a record $131.4 billion in January, a 34% increase from the prior month and nearly double from a year ago.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The story has been updated to reflect the correct gain and the decline since that peak through Thursday’s close.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The airline recorded a significant 24% increase in available seat miles, accompanied by modest gains in passenger yield (up 0.5%) and an impressive 150 basis point improvement in occupancy rate relative to 2022.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Possibilities include accelerating drug discovery, augmenting preclinical or clinical research, predicting potential product quality issues and optimizing testing protocols.—
Aman Wasan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Conrad called steel guitarist Justin Schipper in to augment the band the next day at The Smoakstack, a studio loaded with guitars — and ceramic figures — in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share