increase

[ɪnˈkriːs]

increase Definition

to become or make something greater in amount, number, value, or strength.

Using increase: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "increase" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The company plans to increase its profits by 20% this year.

• Example

  The population has increased rapidly in recent years.

• Example

  She increased the volume of the music.

• Example

  The price of oil has increased significantly.

increase Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for increase

• grow
• expand
• enlarge
• augment
• escalate

Antonyms for increase

• decrease
• reduce
• diminish

Idioms Using increase

• increase the heat

  to make a situation more intense or difficult

  Example

  The boss increased the heat on the employees to finish the project on time.

• increase one's chances

  to improve the likelihood of success

  Example

  Taking extra classes can increase your chances of getting into a good college.

• increase the pressure

  to make a situation more stressful or demanding

  Example

  The coach increased the pressure on the team to win the championship.

Phrases with increase

• on the increase

  becoming more common or frequent

  Example

  Cases of COVID-19 are on the increase again.

• increase in

  a rise in the amount or level of something

  Example

  There has been an increase in the number of people working from home.

• increase by

  to become or make something greater in amount, number, value, or strength by a certain amount

  Example

  The price of gas has increased by 10 cents per gallon.

Origins of increase

from Latin 'increpare', meaning 'to sound, shout'

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Summary: increase in Brief

The verb 'increase' [ɪnˈkriːs] means to make something greater in amount, number, value, or strength. It can be used in various contexts, such as business, population, volume, and price. The phrase 'on the increase' denotes something becoming more common or frequent, while 'increase in' refers to a rise in the amount or level of something. 'Increase by' is used to indicate the amount of increase. Idioms like 'increase the heat' and 'increase the pressure' imply making a situation more intense or difficult.