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Some common synonyms of amplify<\/em> are dilate<\/em><\/a>, distend<\/em><\/a>, expand<\/em><\/a>, inflate<\/em><\/a>, and swell<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to increase in size or volume,\" amplify<\/em> implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.<\/p>

\/\/ amplify<\/em> the statement with details<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'dilate' instead of 'amplify'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words dilate<\/em><\/a> and amplify<\/em> have much in common, dilate<\/em> applies especially to expansion of circumference.<\/p>

\/\/ dilated<\/em> pupils<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'distend' take the place of 'amplify'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of distend<\/em><\/a> and amplify<\/em> largely overlap; however, distend<\/em> implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.<\/p>

\/\/ a distended<\/em> abdomen<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'expand' be a good substitute for 'amplify'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms expand<\/em><\/a> and amplify<\/em> are close in meaning, expand<\/em> may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).<\/p>

\/\/ a business that expands<\/em> every year<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'inflate' be used to replace 'amplify'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms inflate<\/em><\/a> and amplify<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate<\/em> implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.<\/p>

\/\/ an inflated<\/em> ego<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'swell' be a better fit than 'amplify'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words swell<\/em><\/a> and amplify<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but swell<\/em> implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.<\/p>

\/\/ the bureaucracy swelled<\/em> to unmanageable proportions<\/p>" } } ] }

amplify

verb

ˈam-plÉ™-ËŒfÄ« How to pronounce amplify (audio)
Definition of amplifynext
1
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the number of blood volunteers was significantly amplified by the promise of thank-you gifts to donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to intensify
to make markedly greater in measure or degree a fox's large ears serve to amplify such sounds as little critters skittering among stones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amplify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amplify are dilate, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of amplify?

Although the words dilate and amplify have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can distend take the place of amplify?

The meanings of distend and amplify largely overlap; however, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for amplify?

While the synonyms expand and amplify are close in meaning, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When could inflate be used to replace amplify?

The synonyms inflate and amplify are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When might swell be a better fit than amplify?

The words swell and amplify can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amplify As one of the most powerful and respected executives in the global entertainment industry, Langley will receive the Trailblazer Award for her continued commitment to amplifying a diverse array of stories and storytellers. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 Fink also warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence could amplify inequality, enriching those who already own assets while leaving others further behind. —Yun Li, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026 Mamdani could direct his Office of Technology and Innovation — whose mandate includes digital equity — to make AI literacy a citywide priority, and ask his Office of Mass Engagement to amplify the message. —Andrew Rasiej, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026 Their unique properties enable super-strong magnets, amplify fiberoptics and lasers, and help speed up chemical reactions. —Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amplify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amplify
  1. develop
  2. increase
  3. intensify
  4. expand
  5. accelerate
  6. enhance
  7. supplement
  8. augment
Verb
  • The company develops and makes products for civilian and military use, such as drone technologies used by Ukraine's armed forces in the fight against the Russian invasion.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Israel’s Elbit Systems has revealed that it has been contracted to develop aircraft-mountable versions of its XCalibur high-power laser systems.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of develop
Verb
  • Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Comparisons to the build-up to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis are now intensifying as concerns over underlying loan quality grow.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
  • As his erratic behavior intensified, so did her drug abuse.
    — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.
    — Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026
  • When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • According to the South China Morning Post, the China Ship Scientific Research Centre in Wuxi is accelerating its timeline to dominate deep-sea tourism.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The award also honors schools across the state that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • By enabling submarines to deploy and recover unmanned vehicles while remaining hidden, the technology enhances both mission flexibility and operational safety.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The new definition of Mormon perfection looks different now, but that’s not to say the pursuit of looking naturally beautiful is easier than looking artificially enhanced.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • If his secondary pitches can improve to supplement an average fastball, Davalillo’s upside rises.
    — Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • In many wars, citizens are able to supplement official reporting with first-person accounts posted on social media and widely shared, Rahimi said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of supplement
Verb
  • This was the first Dragon launch from SLC-40 since the addition of a crew access arm to support Dragon launches from more than one Space Coast pad and augment normal launches from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Even though it has long been known that Russia engages in censorship of its citizens, recent experiments in Moscow are raising fears that the Russian government is augmenting its information blockade.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of augment

Browse Nearby Words

amplifies
amplify
amplifying
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Cite this Entry

“Amplify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amplify. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of amplify for Spanish Speakers

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