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.

Extending the waiver on Friday, the US said it wanted "to ensure oil is available to those ⁠who need it" as negotiations to end the war "accelerate".

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

NPR has said it will use the funds to accelerate its digital transformation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“It will increase costs and increase the burden on others to organize their selves and accelerate the tendency toward regional supply chains.”

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

One of these times, the market will indeed break out to new highs and accelerate from there.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

We are already used to the idea that if you accelerate, you change the way you move through space; you can speed up or slow down.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

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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