augment

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb augment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of augment are enlarge, increase, and multiply. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When is it sensible to use enlarge instead of augment?

The words enlarge and augment can be used in similar contexts, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When might increase be a better fit than augment?

In some situations, the words increase and augment are roughly equivalent. However, increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

Where would multiply be a reasonable alternative to augment?

While in some cases nearly identical to augment, multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

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 augment Money used from those grants helps establish labs to conduct research, augment career training and development, fund conferences where information is shared, and pay salaries of small, medium, and large research operations, including the work of master’s degree and Ph.D. students at universities. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025 Learning how to use it to augment, not corrupt your thinking and judgement, is harder. Mark Carey, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025 The first quarter moon urges us to give extra TLC and slightly augment our new moon intentions, if necessary. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025 This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for augment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for augment
Verb
  • That reticence could conceivably involve suppressing concerns about how the U.S. military’s increasing involvement in domestic missions is placing strains on resources and readiness.
    Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But construction materials, computer parts, cooling infrastructure, and power supplies are just some of the costs that are likely to increase as a result of the tariffs.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Mace says the impact expands beyond the number of people using the device.
    Jason Quick, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Business leaders obtain the necessary insights to reduce carbon and material usage, accelerate CSRD compliance, and accurately measure the financial and sustainability impact of their decisions.
    Sophia Mendelsohn, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • President Trump’s sweeping and severe new tariffs on more than 180 countries prompted a sell-off in stock markets in the U.S. and abroad, raising investor alarm over looming trade wars and accelerating inflation as the levies threaten to increase prices for consumers.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Athletes often supplement with creatine to help boost muscle growth and recovery.
    Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The Biden Administration left in place the tariffs that Trump had imposed on China and supplemented them with an ambitious industrial policy designed to boost the industries of the future, including green energy, E.V.s, and semiconductors.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Another company, Thyssenkrupp, then processed the recycled titanium to enhance its machining and deformation characteristics.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of content production, AI has emerged as a powerful tool that can enhance creativity and get deliverables out quickly.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/augment. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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