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v. in·creased, in·creas·ing, in·creas·es v.intr. 1. To become greater or larger. 2. To multiply; reproduce. v.tr. To make greater or larger. n. (ĭnkrēs′) Idiom: 1. The act of increasing: a steady increase in temperature. 2. The amount or rate by which something is increased: a tax increase of 15 percent. 3. Obsolete Reproduction and spread; propagation. on the increase Increasing, especially in frequency of occurrence: Crime is on the increase. [Middle English encresen, from Old French encreistre, encreiss-, from Latin incrēscere : in-, intensive pref.; see IN-2 + crēscere, to grow; see ker-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] in·creasa·ble adj. in·creaser n. in·creasing·ly adv. Synonyms: increase, expand, enlarge, augment, multiply1 These verbs mean to make or become greater or larger. Increase sometimes suggests steady growth: The president's economic program is designed to increase consumer confidence. The city's population increased during the last decade. Expand applies especially to an increase in size, volume, or scope: Visiting the botanical garden has expanded my interest in tropical plants. These plant fibers expand when water is plentiful. Enlarge often implies an increase in size, area, or extent, as by widening or broadening: The landowner enlarged her property by repeated purchases. The disease causes the kidneys to enlarge. Augment usually applies to an increase that is already developed or well under way: She augmented her collection of books each month. As the pressure augments, the volume of the steam decreases. To multiply is to increase in number: The internet has multiplied the ways in which consumers can buy goods. The number of tourists visiting the town has multiplied since the highway opened. |
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