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
Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
With the 2025-26 flu season expected to be worse than usual, cases of the flu are increasing rapidly in Michigan as the virus spreads across schools ahead of winter break.
—Lori Comstock, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
Certain enrollees, such as early retirees with modest incomes, face much larger increases, health experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for increase
Verb
Under a 10-year concession agreement, the group agreed to pay at least $50 million to the city, including minimum annual rent payments starting at $4 million and increasing by 3% each year.
—Noun
There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for increase
Verb
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Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.—
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Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.—
Verb
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There were 107 homicides in Kansas City in 2012, and while that number dipped to as low as 82 homicides in 2014, the number of homicides continued to rise until a peak in 2023 at 182 homicides.—
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Tensions rise when Nora, a stage actress, rejects Gustav's offer to star in his comeback film and is forced to confront her feelings toward her estranged father.—
Noun
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The city was already buzzing Friday night with both Bears and Packers fans, as the return of the NFL's oldest rivalry is a boost to spirits and business.—
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To be sure, how much of a boost beneficiaries see depends on the size of their current benefits.—
Noun
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That front could spark a few brief rain or snow showers Sunday afternoon or early evening, mainly north and west of Philadelphia, with little to no accumulation expected.—
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That would encourage new peat accumulation and carbon sequestration.—
Verb
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This innovative approach not only speeds the design process but also frees up designers to focus on more creative tasks, demonstrating how AI can be used as a tool to augment human creativity rather than replace it.—
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Powell levels could be augmented by Upper Basin contributions to protect infrastructure.—
Verb
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The race to commercialize perovskite technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years.—
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The transfer portal, which opened Friday, allows programs to accelerate the rebuilding process and replace departing players — more than 20 in Florida’s case.—
Noun
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That said, many of the gains players made here won’t dramatically affect their bottom lines, and the reality is that most players on ECHL deals will still need those second jobs and other sources of income to continue to chase their dream of making it to the next level.—
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Beck capitalized on that to get shorter gains and set up more manageable third-down situations.—
Verb
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Wanda Sykes made sure that comedian Ricky Gervais — a comedian whose past material raised eyebrows and allegations of transphobia — shared his big 2026 Golden Globes night with a higher power and the transgender community.—
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One of them, fist raised to the sky, let out a long yell, the hoarse shout of a gold panner.—
Cite this Entry
“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/increase. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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