amplify

American  

[am-pluh-fahy] / ˈæm pləˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

amplified, amplifying

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.

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verb (used without object)

amplified, amplifying

1. to discourse at length; expatiate or expand one's remarks, speech, etc. (usually followed byon ).

   The preacher amplified on the theme of brotherly love.

amplify British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• amplifiable adjective
• overamplify verb
• unamplifiable adjective
• unamplified adjective

Etymology

Origin of amplify

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English amplifyen, from Middle French amplifier, from Latin amplificāre “to increase, augment”; equivalent to ample + -ify

Example Sentences

But a recent selloff in shares of software companies has helped to amplify concerns, as many of these firms have lent heavily to companies in the software space.

From MarketWatch

This demand from investors has been “supporting the metals rally and further amplifying price volatility,” the bank said in its report.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it is the coalescence of their personalities that amplifies all that sporting talent.

From BBC

Google wants to help amplify the growth potential of Fluidstack and to encourage more computing providers to use its AI chips, people familiar with its plans said.

From The Wall Street Journal

A formidable scholar with a genial talent for storytelling, he amplifies his archival research with personal investigation of the places and surviving objects from his subject’s life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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