Definitions

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.

As more GRK2 accumulates and forms aggregates, the disease process continues to accelerate.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

SK Hynix on Monday separately struck a multiyear technology agreement with Nvidia to advance next-generation memory chips for the global AI infrastructure buildout and accelerate semiconductor design and manufacturing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

While Kim Jong Il visited China repeatedly and relied on Beijing's backing, his son moved quickly to accelerate North Korea's nuclear programme.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

The EU will now accelerate the process by adopting a "testbed", a simplified testing approach that will let companies avoid having to obtain approval on a country-by-country basis.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

But if you put a few thousand volts on the tube and built up to a million volts on the particles, the glassware would survive, and the particles would accelerate.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Vocabulary lists containing accelerate

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Holes

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Commonly Misspelled Words, List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!