supercharge

verb

su·​per·​charge ˈsü-pər-ˌchärj How to pronounce supercharge (audio)
supercharged; supercharging; supercharges

transitive verb

1
: to charge greatly or excessively (as with vigor or tension)
2
: to supply a charge to the intake of (an engine) at a pressure higher than that of the surrounding atmosphere
3
: pressurize sense 1
supercharge noun

Examples of supercharge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But as the first analyses begin, experts are also looking ahead to the potential effects of a looming super El Niño that could supercharge warming in the region. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026 Hawaii often enjoys a powerful protection during hurricane season, but El Niño has supercharged the threat. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 That might also explain the movie’s attempts to supercharge its few action sequences, as if the filmmakers realized belatedly that a sad book without much incident wasn’t exactly prime summer studio release fodder. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, fears that advances in AI will supercharge hacking campaigns are being realized as rogue elements increasingly deploy large language models to break into organizations around the world. — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supercharge

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supercharge was in 1846

Rhymes for supercharge

See All Rhymes for supercharge

Browse Nearby Words

supercentrifuge
supercharge
supercharged engine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supercharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supercharge. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All