1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amplify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amplify are dilate, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of amplify?

Although the words dilate and amplify have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can distend take the place of amplify?

The meanings of distend and amplify largely overlap; however, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for amplify?

While the synonyms expand and amplify are close in meaning, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When could inflate be used to replace amplify?

The synonyms inflate and amplify are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When might swell be a better fit than amplify?

The words swell and amplify can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

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 amplify This natural defense mechanism has grabbed our attention this spring, since our weather patterns have lent a hand in amplifying a natural phenomenon. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025 Some appeared to be synergistic (amplifying each other’s effects), while others seemed to be antagonistic (counteracting one another), suggesting that their health impact changes significantly when they’re consumed together. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 Your work amplifies voices from the margins—artists from smaller cities or less privileged backgrounds, such as Badri Valian, Masoumeh Mohtadi, and Hamideh Sobhani, as well as those who support women’s freedom without themselves necessarily rejecting the hijab. Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025 Everything, an initiative that highlights the city’s cultural impact; and Brandon Butler, CEO of Butter ATL, a media platform amplifying Atlanta’s voice in digital storytelling. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amplify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amplify
Verb
  • Samsung Wireless Fast Charge: Samsung developed a Proprietary Power Delivery Extension (PPDE) standard in the early days of Qi to offer higher than 5-watt wireless charging.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Prime Video is developing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, based on the Crane-Iron Pentalogy book series by Wang Dulu.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? (1) Infrastructure in forms of roads and increased police and fire due to the growing population.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • What Murray did in the second half was increase his aggression off the dribble.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Patterson’s departure likely will intensify UM’s efforts to find a starting caliber safety in the portal.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • In this context of uncertainty, competition intensifies on entry and middle market watches.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For 2024, the list was expanded to 450 companies and looked at their emissions between 2020 and 2022.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Read: The Last of Us and the power of video games One of the best things about the TV adaptation has been its ability to expand past the limits of the game’s storytelling.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The improved coding and long-context capabilities could accelerate software development cycles, enabling developers to tackle more complex problems, analyze legacy code more effectively, or generate code documentation and tests more efficiently.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The blaze accelerated quickly because of the Molotov cocktails, Enterline said.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Multimillion-dollar residences on the stylish Soho strip enhance the neighborhood’s offerings, providing residents with unmatched dwellings.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Invest In Enrichment: Use reliable external sources to supplement your data, helping improve segmentation and message relevance.
    Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The main question posed at the meeting was whether schools could supplement the new curriculum with other platforms.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The most successful implementations use technology to augment human capabilities, providing tools that help people work more efficiently rather than avoiding challenges altogether.
    AJ Bubb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Brynjolfsson, in his Daedalus article, suggested changing the tax system to give businesses more incentive to invest in technology that augments labor rather than replaces it.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amplify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amplify. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on amplify

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!