increase

1 of 2

verb

increased; increasing

intransitive verb

1
: to become progressively greater (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
2
: to multiply by the production of young

transitive verb

1
: to make greater : augment
2
obsolete : enrich
increasable
in-ˈkrē-sə-bəl How to pronounce increase (audio)
ˈin-ˌkrē-
adjective
increaser noun

increase

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or process of increasing: such as
a
: addition or enlargement in size, extent, or quantity
b
obsolete : propagation
2
: something that is added to an original stock or amount by augmentation or growth (such as offspring, produce, profit)
Phrases
on the increase
: becoming greater (as in size, number, or amount) : increasing
crime is on the increase
Choose the Right Synonym for increase

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of increase in a Sentence

Verb The house increased in value. She increased her wealth substantially. Noun an increase in life expectancy The employees expect some increase in wages. The construction will probably cause some increase in traffic delays. The report showed increases of between 20 and 30 percent. an increase of three dollars
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The package does include funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, security technology and increases to detention bed capacity. Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024 Hauge-Zavaleta, the parenting coach, said parents should increase support networks as much as possible. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Gusty wind conditions are expected along the coast, with winds of 30 mph Saturday, increasing to 30 to 40 mph on Sunday. Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 The death toll as a result of the terrorist attack has increased to 115 on Saturday, the Investigative Committee said, adding that the search for bodies under the rubble continues. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2024 The skirmish comes just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington’s commitment to defending Philippine access to the vast waterway, which China claims sovereignty over, sparking increasing clashes with its neighbors in recent years. James Legge, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Finally, by increasing options for case searches within organized audits, users are now able to edit an existing rule or add a new one to ensure that all entities will have available cases in the Case List tab. Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 While overall sales of passenger vehicles in China in the first two months of 2024 increased by 17% from last year and sales of new-energy vehicles, which includes both plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars, rose 37.5% year-on-year, Tesla recorded a year-on-year decrease in shipments. Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 22 Mar. 2024 And Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is suffering from more frequent and severe drought conditions, which increase the risk of wildfire and put stress on the park’s buffaloes. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
About 47% of these studies reported an increase in RMR during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. News & Views, Health, 23 Mar. 2024 Atmospheric greenhouse gases are responsible for part of the increase, Schmidt said. USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 The need for a third party to approve rent increases would lead to diminished maintenance and services, Lindley said. Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024 Between 1950 and 2018, northern Wisconsin saw about 5% more annual precipitation, while the central and eastern regions saw a 15% increase. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 Police also named 108 young people as suspects in shootings — a 33% increase. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2024 The Purchasing Managers’ Index showed a slight increase to 49.9 in March, driven by expansion in the services sector, but remained below the 50 mark that separates contraction from growth. Krystal Hur, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 In his letter, Youngkin vowed not to sign a tax increase. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 When the data is limited to K-12 campuses, the increase is even more marked. John D. Harden, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'increase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English encresen, from Anglo-French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- + crescere to grow — more at crescent

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of increase was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near increase

Cite this Entry

“Increase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/increase. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

increase

1 of 2 verb
increased; increasing
1
: to make or become greater
increase speed
skill increases with practice
2
: to become more numerous by the production of young

increase

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of increasing
2
: something added (as by growth)

More from Merriam-Webster on increase

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!