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.

Bitcoin could stage a sharper rally if it breaks above $75,000 on strong volume, as a short squeeze can accelerate gains as traders buy back to cover positions, BTC Markets crypto analyst Rachael Lucas said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Jakarta promised last week to take "more serious steps to accelerate the development of a national electric vehicle ecosystem" to combat its "high level of energy consumption".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

By encouraging collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and technology experts, the initiative aims to accelerate progress in addressing major health challenges.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Instead of costly doubles threatening to derail his progress, there was a flurry of birdies late in a sensational second round which helped McIlroy accelerate away from the chasing pack.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Mary Anne began a slow, arduously clumsy dance that began to accelerate as she circumnavigated her father’s easy chair.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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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