1
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
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
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Recent Examples of increase
Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 May 2026
Not replacing your power strips increases the risk of electrical shocks, damage to your equipment, and electrical fires.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026
Maven Navarro
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
That trust is often what leads to promotion conversations and salary increases.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
Key Takeaways Soaking chia seeds in water or milk for 24 hours makes nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, more available and increases the ratio of anti-inflammatory omega-3s to omega-6 fatty acids.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 May 2026
Not replacing your power strips increases the risk of electrical shocks, damage to your equipment, and electrical fires.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026
Noun
Melissa, about 40 miles north of Dallas, reported a population of 29,969, a 14% increase from last year.
—Maven Navarro
may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
That trust is often what leads to promotion conversations and salary increases.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for increase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
-
Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
The potential downside of a long layoff has been a hot topic in baseball ever since MLB expanded its playoff field in 2022, awarding first-round byes to the top-two seeds in each league.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
-
The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Rice University’s Kinder Institute study found that newcomer students in the kindergarten through fifth grade age range who are eligible for intensive newcomer English programs experience a measurable academic boost, lasting up to three years after eligibility.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
Ewing and Cortes have the potential to help fantasy managers who need a boost to their lineup.—
Mike Barner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The psychologist leaned forward and clarified that the man meant snow from the sky, and not a ground-level accumulation in the form of a buff snow guy or a voluptuous snow gal.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
For Denver and communities along the Interstate 25 corridor, snow accumulation chances remain low, though a few flakes could mix in Monday.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Cleveland could augment, perhaps even with Giannis.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Harry Styles' stage is a pop playground Styles’ laudable core band – anchored by his longtime drummer, the indefatigable Sarah Jones, who makes tricky beats look simple – was augmented by strings and horns on several tracks, a testament to his ambitious musical aspirations.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
China's economy appeared to be starting the year on a strong note, with GDP growth accelerating to 5% in the first quarter.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Their hand is also forced by climate change, war and the accelerating rush for timber and minerals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
While states had sought to change their maps for partisan gain, Republicans in some Southern states are also scrambling to redraw their House district boundaries after the Supreme Court weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in a landmark decision last month.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
China’s economy is now about 60% to 70% as big as that of the US, a gain of more than threefold in the past 20 years.—
David Westin,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
While snow totals remain uncertain, this storm is forecast to bring colder air and has a better chance of bringing more widespread and meaningful accumulating snow, particularly in the mountains and higher elevations.—
Alex Lehnert,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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