amplify

[ am-pluh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, am·pli·fied, am·pli·fy·ing.

1. to make larger, greater, or stronger; enlarge; extend.

   Synonyms: heighten, intensify, increase

   Antonyms: reduce, contract

2. to expand in stating or describing, as by details or illustrations; clarify by expanding.

   Synonyms: develop, broaden, widen

   Antonyms: abridge, condense

3. Electricity. to increase the amplitude of; cause amplification in.
4. Archaic. to exaggerate.

verb (used without object)

, am·pli·fied, am·pli·fy·ing.

1. to discourse at length; expatiate or expand one's remarks, speech, etc. (usually followed by on ):

   The preacher amplified on the theme of brotherly love.

amplify

/ ˈæmplɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to increase in size, extent, effect, etc, as by the addition of extra material; augment; enlarge; expand
2. electronics to produce amplification of (electrical signals); increase the amplitude of (signals)
3. tr to exaggerate
4. intr to expand or enlarge a speech, narrative, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈampliˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• ampli·fia·ble adjective
• over·ampli·fy verb overamplified overamplifying
• un·ampli·fia·ble adjective
• un·ampli·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amplify¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English amplifyen, from Middle French amplifier, from Latin amplificāre “to increase, augment”; equivalent to ample + -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of amplify¹

C15: from Old French amplifier, ultimately from Latin amplificāre to enlarge, from amplus spacious + facere to make

Example Sentences

Yoakam cupped his free hand around the bottom of the phone to help amplify the sound.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, to really amplify your finances and have a side hustle that can grow into a lucrative business, you might take cues from celebrity chefs who go deep before going wide.

From Salon

Elon Musk is a disinformation superspreader who weaponized Twitter/X to amplify blatant anti-Harris lies to his 200 million followers.

From Salon

“We have always been aware that we are up against a celebrity in this matter and, while it might be easy to make those charged and disingenuous claims and amplify them, it does not change the fact that Dr. Sophy has pursued legal action solely because of Mr. Young’s consistent pattern of behavior,” Frost said, adding that Sophy remains committed to his lawsuit despite Tuesday’s ruling.

From Los Angeles Times

And he has continued to amplify conspiracy theories and unfounded claims of election fraud – even though the election ultimately led to his victory.

From BBC

Related Words

• augment
• deepen
• exaggerate
• heighten
• intensify
• magnify
• strengthen