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

Examples 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 The Colts, Jaguars, Bears, Raiders, Cowboys, Jets and Browns all stand out as franchises that have or could make head coaching or coordinator changes where Martindale could augment the existing program. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, Arizona is pursuing projects to augment its water supply from other sources. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025 Many of the locations had to be cleaned and augmented, including with a real X-ray machine and actual turtles in the gardens. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025 The planets and zodiac signs each carry meanings, which are augmented by their relations to each other on a horoscope. Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for augment 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for augment
Verb
  • Research suggests high levels can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias, while also raising blood pressure.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Cost of goods sold increased to $46.7 million from $40.3 million, with the Auction and Liquidation segment contributing significantly to this rise.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Preserving, nature, history, and culture for future generations All told, Biden created 10 new national monuments and expanded 2 others during his term, tying him for eighth place, with William Taft, for the most monuments designated by a president.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025
  • While teams build local fan bases, league executives are also keen to grow individual player brands, recognizing the way other women’s sports stars—such as Caitlin Clark, Ilona Maher, Alex Morgan and Serena Williams—have expanded the fan bases for their sports.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account The emergence of cloud-native architectures further accelerated this transformation.
    Srikanta Datta, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war is accelerating Ukraine’s rapid depopulation, exacerbating a demographic crisis that has been deepening for three decades.
    Howard LaFranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The investment will enhance product development and boost its client service capabilities, enabling rapid design and development for the fashion industry.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 13 Jan. 2025
  • This seems designed to head off accusations that clubs can boost their balance sheet for PSR (profit and sustainability rules) or SCMP (Salary Cost Management Protocol) purposes.
    Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since initiating its Regenerative Cotton Program in 2022, Citizens has procured approximately 4 million pounds of regenerative cotton, illustrating its commitment to empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural sustainability.
    Angela Lei, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Naturally, Wiggins’s first priority was to preserve and enhance the spartan cottage’s existing architecture: the façade of rough-hewn local stone, quaint clapboard walls, restored wood floors, and exposed ceiling beams.
    Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near augment

Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/augment. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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