accelerate

[ak-sel-uh-reyt] / ækˈsɛl əˌreɪt /

VERB

increase speed, timing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advance expedite further hasten open up quicken spur step up stimulate

STRONG

drive dust forward gun hurry impel precipitate railroad rev roll tool

WEAK

fire up hammer on lay a patch lay rubber make tracks nail it peel rubber put on afterburners put pedal to metal rev up speed up step on the gas

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block cease check delay discourage halt hinder slow stop

STRONG

dissuade repress wait

WEAK

decelerate defer impede postpone retard slow down

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That increased exposure appears to accelerate a natural process that removes nitrate from seawater.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Schomburger’s experience as a consumer-products executive could help accelerate that progress.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

The long downward slope of fertility over the past century suggests that population decline may accelerate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

"For me, AI feels more like a really awesome assistant that helps accelerate my research workflow," he said.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

In the absence of this protein, blood refuses to clot—and even a small nick or wound can accelerate into a lethal bleeding crisis.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Vocabulary lists containing accelerate

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

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Holes

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Commonly Misspelled Words, List 2

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