View synonyms for increase

increase

[ verb in-krees; noun in-krees ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

increased, increasing.

to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to:
to increase taxes.
Synonyms: extend, expand, prolong
Antonyms: decrease

verb (used without object)

increased, increasing.

to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality:
Sales of automobiles increased last year.
Antonyms: wane, lessen, contract, abate, decrease
to multiply by propagation.
Synonyms: swell, grow, expand, propagate
to wax, as the moon.

noun

growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc.:
the increase of crime.
the act or process of increasing.
Synonyms: expansion, enlargement
that by which something is increased.
the result of increasing.
produce of the earth.
product; profit; interest.
Obsolete.
1. multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.
2. offspring; progeny.

increase

/ ɪnˈkriːsɪdlɪ /

verb

to make or become greater in size, degree, frequency, etc; grow or expand

noun

the act of increasing; augmentation
the amount by which something increases
on the increase
increasing, esp becoming more frequent

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Derived Forms

increasedly, adverb
inˈcreaser, noun
inˈcreasable, adjective

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Other Words From

in·creasa·ble adjective
in·creas·ed·ly [in-, kree, -sid-lee], adverb
nonin·creasa·ble adjective
non·increase noun
pre·increase noun
prein·crease verb (used with object) preincreased preincreasing
pro·increase adjective
quasi-in·creased adjective
rein·crease verb reincreased reincreasing noun
super·in·crease verb (used with object) superincreased superincreasing
super·increase noun
unin·creasa·ble adjective
unin·creased adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of increase¹

First recorded in 1370–1395; Middle English incresen, encresen, from Anglo-French encres-, Middle French encreis(s)-, stem of encreistre, from Latin incrēscere, equivalent to in- in- ² + crēscere “to grow”; crescent

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Word History and Origins

Origin of increase¹

C14: from Old French encreistre, from Latin incrēscere, from in- ² + crēscere to grow

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Example Sentences

It might sound counterintuitive, but increased density can actually be safer if structures are built to the latest standards and landscaped with fire-resistant plants, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times

One policy idea that voters disliked in the poll was allowing insurance companies to increase their rates if it enables them to offer fire coverage more broadly.

From Los Angeles Times

Denying access to gender-affirming care, as the Trump administration aims to do, increases the risk that a person will experience depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

From Salon

There was also evidence of increasing levels of severe mental health problems.

From BBC

Other universities have also announced plans to make savings amid increased costs and a drop in income from international students' fees.

From BBC

Related Words

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More About Increase

What does increase mean?

To increase is to become greater or more in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will increase as demand increases.

As a verb, increase is also used in an active way in which someone or something is doing the increasing, as in I’m going to increase my hours at work or These sunglasses increase visibility.

Increase can also be used as a noun referring to a rise or growth in something, as in We are experiencing an increase in applicants.

It can also refer to the amount by which something has increased, as in The increase was $5,000 per year.

The words increased and increasing can both be used as adjectives, as in an increased appetite or increasing sales.

The opposite of increase as both a verb and a noun is decrease.

Example: My boss increased my workload, which led to an increase in stress.

Where does increase come from?

The first records of the word increase come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin verb incrēscere, from in-, which can indicate causation, and the Latin verb crēscere, meaning “to grow.”

Something that is increasing is growing—it’s becoming greater in size, quantity, extent, or in some other way. As a noun, increase can mean the same thing as growth.

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What are some other forms related to increase?

increased (past tense verb, adjective)
increasing (continuous tense verb, adjective)

What are some synonyms for increase?

What are some words that share a root or word element with increase?

decrease

What are some words that often get used in discussing increase?

How is increase used in real life?

Increase is an extremely common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts.

Clouds will continue to increase throughout the day for our Wednesday. We'll have one more day of mild temperatures with highs into mid to upper 60s, maybe lower 70s in our southern counties. Cooler 50s may be found closer to the TN/MS line. A few isolated showers are possible. pic.twitter.com/R4rq071cQP

— WCBI Weather (@WCBIWEATHER) February 10, 2021

An indirect way to increase your water intake is to eat very spicy food.

— Oliver Anwar (@roanwar) October 16, 2020

Of the estimated 100,000 Native Americans of voting age in Georgia, only about 15,000 are registered to vote. Organizers and tribal leaders say even a small increase could make a difference in the state’s upcoming runoff elections https://t.co/4bqN2BKxeK

— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) December 6, 2020

Try using increase!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of increase?

A. rise
B. grow
C. enlarge
D. decline

When To Use

What are other ways to say increase?

To increase something is to make it greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality. How is increase different from enlarge and augment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

incrassate increaser

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