as much as

1. Also, however much, much as . Even though, no matter how much, as in As much as I hate to, I must stay home tonight , or However much it hurts, you ought to admit you were wrong , or Much as Karen would love to see us, she can't get out of her prior commitment . [Late 1500s]

2. The same quantity as. As with as many (def. 2), the meaning of much as a large amount here is qualified by what follows. For example, Please help yourself to as much of the meant as you want indicates whatever amount you wish. [Late 1100s]

3. Also, so much as . In effect, nearly the same as, as in Mom as much as told Jane she couldn't go , or The clerk so much as accused the customer of shoplifting . These expressions intensify the meaning of the verb and indicate that the action is unexpected. [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

Don't have time to read about climate change as much as you'd like?

From Salon

The paper, which was published in the journal Nuclear Fusion, suggests the approach could burn tritium as much as 10 times more efficiently.

From Science Daily

Many cashiers, line and prep cooks, counter attendants and baristas saw as much as a 25% raise overnight thanks to the new law, which applies to California fast-food workers employed by any chain with more than 60 locations nationwide, and covers corporate-owned and franchised locations.

From Los Angeles Times

The amount of capital invested this year is set to reach about $45 billion, about three times as much as 2015’s levels.

From New York Times

I’m not a yeller and I’m not demanding, but I will push as much as I can to get things right, to get that moment where you mesh with the other actor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approximately
• basically
• essentially
• morally
• nearly
• virtually