Another word for increase
Increase (verb, noun): to become or make something larger in amount, number, or degree. Below are 18 synonyms across 3 senses. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
Most formal: expand, escalate, amplifyStrongest: soar, escalate, surge
21 synonyms shown
Grow in amount · verb
become more in size, number, or extent
Make larger · verb
cause something to become larger or more intense
A larger amount · noun
an amount of growth or rise
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- grow — general, neutral increase with little emphasis
- rise — often used for numbers, prices, and levels
- expand — suggests spread or enlargement in scope
The dashed ring marks “increase” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for increase in your sentence
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How to choose
Use increase when you want a neutral, widely applicable word. Choose more specific verbs like rise, boost, surge, or soar when the direction, cause, or force of the change matters; very formal writing often prefers rise or increase, while casual speech often uses go up.
Antonyms of increase
- decrease
- reduce
- decline
- drop
- lower
- fall
- shrink
- diminish
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| grow | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| rise | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business |
| go up | 2/5 | casual | casual, business |
| expand | 3/5 | formal | academic, business |
| escalate | 4/5 | formal | academic, business |
| surge | 4/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative |
| soar | 5/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative |
| raise | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| boost | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| step up | 3/5 | casual | business, casual |
| amplify | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| heighten | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| intensify | 4/5 | formal | academic, business |
| multiply | 4/5 | formal | academic, business |
| growth | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business |
| gain | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| jump | 4/5 | casual | casual, business |
| upswing | 3/5 | formal | academic, business |
Questions about synonyms for increase
What is the most formal or academic synonym for increase?
In academic and business writing, increase itself is often the safest choice, with rise also very common for measurable changes. For a more technical tone, words like intensify or amplify fit only when you mean making something stronger, not just larger.
What is a stronger synonym for increase?
Soar and surge are stronger than increase; they suggest a fast or dramatic rise. Use them only when the change is genuinely large or sudden, or they will sound exaggerated.
What is a milder synonym for increase?
Grow and rise are milder, more neutral alternatives, and go up is the most casual. They work well when you want to describe a plain upward change without much emphasis.