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: expand, propagate, swell, grow

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
   on the increase increasing, esp becoming more frequent

Derived Forms

• increasedly, adverb
• inˈcreasable, adjective
• inˈcreaser, noun

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

The increase is manageable, but logistically challenging given social distancing requirements, says Lithander.

From Ozy

All regions except the Northeast experienced modest increases in seroprevalence over the course of the summer.

From Science News

Historically, the less-expensive systems sell more units, driving an increase in revenue from games.

From Fortune

There was a marked increase when Brazil hosted the football World Cup in 2014 and followed by the Olympics in 2016.

From MIT Technology Review

The unprecedented shift to remote work and online learning, combined with a dramatic increase in movie streaming, videoconferencing, and social media traffic, has led to significant spikes in internet use.

From Search Engine Watch

Industry experts claim an increase in awareness amongst men when it comes to styles, design, and price regarding their underwear.

From The Daily Beast

That indicated a relatively rapid increase in methane, followed by an equally fast decrease.

From The Daily Beast

In Kentucky the bourbon distillers have had to increase their payrolls by 77 per cent in two years to meet the demand.

From The Daily Beast

In exchange for the increase in sales, the dispensaries pay the service, not the consumer.

From The Daily Beast

Both give estimates of how many U.S. workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage.

From The Daily Beast

The occasion should be seized also to increase the balances of depositors who carry unprofitable accounts.

From Project Gutenberg

An increase is also noted in the uric-acid diathesis and in diseases accompanied by respiratory insufficiency.

From Project Gutenberg

Simple constipation and diseases of the large intestine alone do not increase the amount of indican.

From Project Gutenberg

Instinctively he tried to hide both pain and anger—it could only increase this distance that was already there.

From Project Gutenberg

The ability to sustain the tone for a long time will increase, and with it the power of the muscles exercised.

From Project Gutenberg

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.