accelerate

[ ak-sel-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in:

   to accelerate economic growth.

2. to hasten the occurrence of:

   to accelerate the fall of a government.

3. Mechanics. to change the velocity of (a body) or the rate of (motion); cause to undergo acceleration.
4. to reduce the time required for (a course of study) by intensifying the work, eliminating detail, etc.

verb (used without object)

, ac·cel·er·at·ed, ac·cel·er·at·ing.

1. to move or go faster; increase in speed.
2. to progress or develop faster.

accelerate

/ ækˈsɛləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to go, occur, or cause to go or occur more quickly; speed up
2. tr to cause to happen sooner than expected
3. tr to increase the velocity of (a body, reaction, etc); cause acceleration

Derived Forms

• acˈcelerable, adjective
• acˈcelerative, adjective

Other Words From

• ac·celer·a·ble adjective
• ac·celer·ated·ly adverb
• over·ac·celer·ate verb overaccelerated overaccelerating
• reac·celer·ate verb reaccelerated reaccelerating
• self-ac·celerating adjective
• unac·celer·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin accelerātus “sped up,” past participle of accelerāre “to speed up,” from ac- ac- + celerāre “to hasten, hurry” (from celer “swift”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of accelerate¹

C16: from Latin accelerātus, from accelerāre to go faster, from ad- (intensive) + celerāre to hasten, from celer swift

Example Sentences

It may accelerate the adoption of laws giving patients more power.

From The Daily Beast

“Accelerate this process,” said Royce, adding that the Free Syrian Army is the antidote to the ongoing expansion of ISIS in Syria.

From The Daily Beast

This trend will only accelerate as whites lapse at higher rates than nonwhites.

From The Daily Beast

“We have every reason to expect these demographic changes to continue, if not accelerate,” Bonica said.

From The Daily Beast

Conservative evangelicalism is losing millennials in gobs, and the World Vision fallout is sure to only accelerate the fallout.

From The Daily Beast

But the very circumstances that facilitated the settling of the Spanish colonies were also likely to accelerate their liberation.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time he disclaimed all interest in, or desire to accelerate this consummation.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, even this simple communication caused the pulse of Mrs Forster to accelerate.

From Project Gutenberg

"It certainly does," replied Shorty, scratching his head to accelerate his mental action.

From Project Gutenberg

Trivial as the circumstance was, it not only rendered home more disgusting, but appeared to accelerate his dissolution.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• expedite
• further
• hasten
• open up
• quicken
• spur
• step up
• stimulate