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

“Core to what we do at Live Nation is helping amplify voices onstage around the world, and supporting voting is another important way we want to continue making voices heard,” said Michael Rapino, the company’s president and CEO, in a statement.

From Washington Post

In removing accounts Tuesday, Twitter pointed to policies specifying, “You can’t artificially amplify or disrupt conversations through the use of multiple accounts.”

From Washington Post

It will accelerate rapid, perhaps chaotic, urbanization of cities ill-equipped for the burden, testing their capacity to provide basic services and amplifying existing inequities.

From ProPublica

Instead, they use it to amplify other projects that help them make money.

From Fortune

Our priority at our events is to amplify the voices that have been silenced by the majority.

From TechCrunch

Actress, activist and African American: Danai Gurira believes in the power of using her voice to amplify African storytellers.

From The Daily Beast

These tools of expression are meant to create and amplify energy.

From The Daily Beast

She was determined—for her voice to be heard, and for it to amplify the voices of women throughout Libya.

From The Daily Beast

Computerized trading programs react to trends in the market and then amplify those trends.

From The Daily Beast

Society doesn't create these disorders, but it can amplify them, and by extension, it can diminish them.

From The Daily Beast

He took the word from Bob and made no attempt to alter or to amplify it.

From Project Gutenberg

But we must first amplify the definition of perspectives and biographies.

From Project Gutenberg

Attempts are frequently made to amplify this description, but the results are always very vague.

From Project Gutenberg

Encouraged by his attention, the girl proceeded to amplify her story.

From Project Gutenberg

It is impossible now to amplify the thought, but I wish in connection with it to name three particulars.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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