accelerant

American  

[ak-sel-er-uhnt] / ækˈsɛl ər ənt /

noun

1. something that speeds up a process.

2. Chemistry. accelerator.

3. a substance that accelerates the spread of fire or makes a fire more intense.

   Arson was suspected when police found accelerants at the scene of the fire.

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accelerant British  

/ ækˈsɛlərənt /

noun

1. chem another name for accelerator

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accelerant Scientific  

/ ăk-sĕl′ər-ənt /

1. A substance, such as a petroleum distillate, that is used as a catalyst, as in spreading an intentionally set fire.

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Etymology

Origin of accelerant

1915–20; < Latin accelerant- (stem of accelerāns ) hastening (present participle of accelerāre ). See accelerate

Example Sentences

“Warner Bros. would have been a nice accelerant for our strategy, but only at the right price,” Netflix said in its investor letter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

TD Cowen analyst Krish Sankar wrote in a note that he sees Nvidia’s new model as a key accelerant for the commercialization of the quantum industry.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

It would be naive to say that wasn’t an accelerant.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

The chatbots, it added, had become a "powerful accelerant for harm."

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

More than just a champion, Alcaraz has been an accelerant, a signal of how an old game like tennis can reignite and improve, even upon its greatest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026