MULTIPLY Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'multiply' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment , enlarge , and increase . While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process. // with each attempt the problems multiplied

Q: When is it sensible to use 'augment' instead of 'multiply'?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed. // the inheritance augmented his fortune

Q: When would 'enlarge' be a good substitute for 'multiply'?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity. // enlarged the kitchen

Q: When could 'increase' be used to replace 'multiply'?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

multiply

verb

ˈməl-tə-ˌplī

Definition of multiply next

as in to reproduce

to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number the booming economy multiplied the wealth of investors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rise

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number with each attempt the problems multiplied

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb multiply contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment, enlarge, and increase. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

When is it sensible to use augment instead of multiply?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When would enlarge be a good substitute for multiply?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When could increase be used to replace multiply?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 multiply But through the eye of the camera lens, the sunbeams seemed to multiply, all but obscuring the stately, two-century-old building. —

Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025 President Trump's decision to start withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization puts global health programs in a serious financial squeeze just as disease threats are multiplying. —

Maya Goldman, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025 Each time products change ownership, costs and revenues multiply, so much that the US Wine Trade Alliance (USWTA) estimates that for every dollar that’s spent in Europe on wine, $4.52 is generated here for American businesses. —

Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 21 Jan. 2025 These three weights are all multiplied together in our final model. —

G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for multiply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply

Verb

This article originally appeared in Spektrum der Wissenschaft and was reproduced with permission.

— Christiane Gelitz, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025
The research will help scientists learn more about how marsupial embryos grow because the class reproduces differently compared to other mammals.

— Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025