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

One possible explanation is that these drugs increase the risk of microbleeds in the brain, which are associated with cognitive decline.

From Science Daily

This symbiosis increases a plant's survival in nitrogen-deficient soils without the use of nitrogen fertilizers.

From Science Daily

For example, Prevelo Bikes moved production to Taiwan due to the initial Trump tariffs in 2019, which increased their costs but by less than if they continued to import from China.

From Salon

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death," she said. "

From Salon

“Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologise to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death,” she said.

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

More About Increase

What does increase mean?

To increase is to become greater or more in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will increase as demand increases.

As a verb, increase is also used in an active way in which someone or something is doing the increasing, as in I’m going to increase my hours at work or These sunglasses increase visibility.

Increase can also be used as a noun referring to a rise or growth in something, as in We are experiencing an increase in applicants.

It can also refer to the amount by which something has increased, as in The increase was $5,000 per year.

The words increased and increasing can both be used as adjectives, as in an increased appetite or increasing sales.

The opposite of increase as both a verb and a noun is decrease.

Example: My boss increased my workload, which led to an increase in stress.

Where does increase come from?

The first records of the word increase come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin verb incrēscere, from in-, which can indicate causation, and the Latin verb crēscere, meaning “to grow.”

Something that is increasing is growing—it’s becoming greater in size, quantity, extent, or in some other way. As a noun, increase can mean the same thing as growth.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to increase?

• increased (past tense verb, adjective)
• increasing (continuous tense verb, adjective)

What are some synonyms for increase?

• grow
• rise
• augment
• enlarge
• turn up
• raise
• growth

What are some words that share a root or word element with increase? 

• decrease

What are some words that often get used in discussing increase?

• number
• amount
• size
• quantity
• quality
• percent
• down
• big
• small

How is increase used in real life?

Increase is an extremely common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts.

Clouds will continue to increase throughout the day for our Wednesday. We'll have one more day of mild temperatures with highs into mid to upper 60s, maybe lower 70s in our southern counties. Cooler 50s may be found closer to the TN/MS line. A few isolated showers are possible. pic.twitter.com/R4rq071cQP

— WCBI Weather (@WCBIWEATHER) February 10, 2021

An indirect way to increase your water intake is to eat very spicy food.

— Oliver Anwar (@roanwar) October 16, 2020

Of the estimated 100,000 Native Americans of voting age in Georgia, only about 15,000 are registered to vote. Organizers and tribal leaders say even a small increase could make a difference in the state’s upcoming runoff elections https://t.co/4bqN2BKxeK

— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) December 6, 2020

Try using increase!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of increase?

A. rise
B. grow
C. enlarge
D. decline

When To Use

What are other ways to say increase?

To increase something is to make it greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality. How is increase different from enlarge and augment? Find out on Thesaurus.com.