accumulate

[uh-kyoo-myuh-leyt] / əˈkyu myəˌleɪt /

VERB

gather or amass something

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accrue acquire add to assemble collect compile concentrate expand gain grow hoard increase pile up rack up swell

STRONG

agglomerate aggregate amalgamate cache collocate cumulate gather heap incorporate lump mass pile procure profit stockpile store unite

WEAK

bring together clean up draw together heap together load up make a bundle make a killing roll up round up scare up stack up store up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

contract decrease diminish disperse divide forfeit lessen lose scatter separate shrink spend waste

WEAK

dissipate dwindle squander

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.

Researchers found that these cells, called macrophages, accumulate iron while breaking down old red blood cells.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

Repeat offenders who accumulate 12 points could therefore face disqualification from driving.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Scientists have traditionally considered them harmful because they accumulate with age and release inflammatory molecules that can damage nearby tissue.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

“When one partner feels overwhelmed or unsupported, small frustrations can accumulate into conflict,” Nguyen said.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Foragers discounted the future because they lived from hand to mouth and could only preserve food or accumulate possessions with difficulty.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Vocabulary lists containing accumulate

List 2

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Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

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"Of Mice and Men"

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