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.

The Eels of Steel scheme, funded by Natural England, aims to accelerate the recovery of the type of fish in the Tees catchment.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Unlike existing systems, this design uses strong electrical currents and magnetic fields to accelerate plasma made from lithium, producing greater thrust at higher power levels.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

“Our creative and operational momentum drove strong quarterly results, and we continue to expect growth to accelerate in the second half of the fiscal year,” D’Amaro wrote in a letter to shareholders.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

We should do all we can to accelerate market forces in higher education.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

In the same way, you can take a spaceship and accelerate it, getting it closer and closer to the speed of light.

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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