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Some common synonyms of multiply<\/em> are augment<\/em><\/a>, enlarge<\/em><\/a>, and increase<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to make or become greater,\" multiply<\/em> implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.<\/p>

\/\/ with each attempt the problems multiplied<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'augment' instead of 'multiply'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of augment<\/em><\/a> and multiply<\/em> largely overlap; however, augment<\/em> implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.<\/p>

\/\/ the inheritance augmented<\/em> his fortune<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'enlarge' be a good substitute for 'multiply'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms enlarge<\/em><\/a> and multiply<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge<\/em> implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.<\/p>

\/\/ enlarged<\/em> the kitchen<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'increase' be used to replace 'multiply'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words increase<\/em><\/a> and multiply<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but increase<\/em> used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.<\/p>

\/\/ his waistline increased<\/em> with age<\/p>

\/\/ increased<\/em> her landholdings<\/p>" } } ] }

multiply

verb

ˈmÉ™l-tÉ™-ËŒplÄ« How to pronounce multiply (audio)
Definition of multiplynext
1
as in to reproduce
to bring forth offspring rabbits multiply with proverbial rapidity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the booming economy multiplied the wealth of investors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to rise
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number with each attempt the problems multiplied

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb multiply contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of multiply are augment, enlarge, and increase. While all these words mean "to make or become greater," multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

When is it sensible to use augment instead of multiply?

The meanings of augment and multiply largely overlap; however, augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

When would enlarge be a good substitute for multiply?

The synonyms enlarge and multiply are sometimes interchangeable, but enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

When could increase be used to replace multiply?

The words increase and multiply can be used in similar contexts, but increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

his waistline increased with age
increased her landholdings

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 multiply Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026 The View's revolving door of guest cohosts keeps multiplying — for better or worse — in Alyssa Farah Griffin's absence. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026 Customers’ bills are structured through a per therm rate multiplied by the number of therms used, according to NIPSCO. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026 This prevents pests from multiplying in the same spot and keeps your yields higher, as the soil is allowed to replenish its nutrients. —Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for multiply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for multiply
  1. reproduce
  2. increase
  3. rise
  4. propagate
  5. expand
  6. accelerate
  7. augment
  8. swell
Verb
  • They were modified, reproduced, and outfitted in showy décor, becoming a key way of getting around for working-class Filipinos.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • For species that reproduce through mass spawning, including some corals and jellyfish, accurate timekeeping is crucial.
    — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of reproduce
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
  • In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.
    — Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • That means that winemakers across what is now France must have switched from domesticating wild grapes to propagating them directly—that is, cloning grapevines by taking cuttings of the plants to start new groves.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026
  • How could gravitation not be instantaneous between any two objects that would attract; how can this interaction only propagate at a finite speed that was equal to the speed of light?
    — Big Think, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of propagate
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
  • 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
Verb
  • Airport conditions have become increasingly unpredictable with swelling crowds seen in major hubs.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The 82nd, which is based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, could join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as potential ground forces swell into the region.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of swell

Browse Nearby Words

multiplies
multiply
multiplying
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of multiply for Spanish Speakers

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