increase

[ verb in-krees; noun in-krees ]

verb (used with object)

, in·creased, in·creas·ing.

1. to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to:

   to increase taxes.

   Synonyms: extend, expand, prolong

   Antonyms: decrease

verb (used without object)

, in·creased, in·creas·ing.

1. to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality:

   Sales of automobiles increased last year.

   Antonyms: wane, lessen, contract, abate, decrease

2. to multiply by propagation.

   Synonyms: swell, grow, expand, propagate

3. to wax, as the moon.

noun

1. growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc.:

   the increase of crime.

2. the act or process of increasing.

   Synonyms: expansion, enlargement

3. that by which something is increased.
4. the result of increasing.
5. produce of the earth.
6. product; profit; interest.
7. Obsolete.
   1. multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.
   2. offspring; progeny.

increase

/ ɪnˈkriːsɪdlɪ /

verb

1. to make or become greater in size, degree, frequency, etc; grow or expand

noun

1. the act of increasing; augmentation
2. the amount by which something increases
3. on the increase
   increasing, esp becoming more frequent

Derived Forms

• increasedly, adverb
• inˈcreaser, noun
• inˈcreasable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·creasa·ble adjective
• in·creas·ed·ly [in-, kree, -sid-lee], adverb
• nonin·creasa·ble adjective
• non·increase noun
• pre·increase noun
• prein·crease verb (used with object) preincreased preincreasing
• pro·increase adjective
• quasi-in·creased adjective
• rein·crease verb reincreased reincreasing noun
• super·in·crease verb (used with object) superincreased superincreasing
• super·increase noun
• unin·creasa·ble adjective
• unin·creased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of increase¹

First recorded in 1370–1395; Middle English incresen, encresen, from Anglo-French encres-, Middle French encreis(s)-, stem of encreistre, from Latin incrēscere, equivalent to in- in- ² + crēscere “to grow”; crescent

Word History and Origins

Origin of increase¹

C14: from Old French encreistre, from Latin incrēscere, from in- ² + crēscere to grow

Example Sentences

After 16 years with NBC as its primary broadcast partner, IndyCar is jumping to Los Angeles-based Fox, which reportedly offered more than $25 million a year for the rights, said to be a significant increase from what NBC paid.

From Los Angeles Times

His answer helped the Tanton organizations reframe immigration squarely in global warming terms: Newcomers to the United States were making climate change worse, because as they increased their consumption here, their carbon emissions would increase, too.

From Salon

According to government figures, the average band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2024-25 was £2,171 - an increase of £106 or 5.1% on the previous year.

From BBC

"Answers to parliamentary questions show that the government is expecting spending power to increase by £3.7bn, funded by grants of £1.3bn," he told the Commons.

From BBC

It means the average household faces an above-inflation increase of more than £100 to their to their council tax bill next year.

From BBC

Related Words

• advance
• boost
• broaden
• build
• build up
• deepen
• develop
• double
• enhance
• enlarge
• escalate
• expand
• extend
• further
• heighten
• intensify
• multiply
• raise
• reinforce
• rise