AMPLIFY Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'amplify' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amplify are dilate , distend , expand , inflate , and swell . While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate. // amplify the statement with details

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dilate' instead of 'amplify'?

Although the words dilate and amplify have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference. // dilated pupils

Q: In what contexts can 'distend' take the place of 'amplify'?

The meanings of distend and amplify largely overlap; however, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within. // a distended abdomen

Q: When would 'expand' be a good substitute for 'amplify'?

While the synonyms expand and amplify are close in meaning, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts). // a business that expands every year

Q: When could 'inflate' be used to replace 'amplify'?

The synonyms inflate and amplify are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse. // an inflated ego

Q: When might 'swell' be a better fit than 'amplify'?

The words swell and amplify can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits. // the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

amplify

verb

ˈam-plə-ˌfī

Definition of amplify

as in to develop

to express more fully and in greater detail after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number the number of blood volunteers was significantly amplified by the promise of thank-you gifts to donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intensify

to make markedly greater in measure or degree a fox's large ears serve to amplify such sounds as little critters skittering among stones

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb amplify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of amplify are dilate, distend, expand, inflate, and swell. While all these words mean "to increase in size or volume," amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.

amplify the statement with details

When is it sensible to use dilate instead of amplify?

Although the words dilate and amplify have much in common, dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference.

dilated pupils

In what contexts can distend take the place of amplify?

The meanings of distend and amplify largely overlap; however, distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within.

a distended abdomen

When would expand be a good substitute for amplify?

While the synonyms expand and amplify are close in meaning, expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts).

a business that expands every year

When could inflate be used to replace amplify?

The synonyms inflate and amplify are sometimes interchangeable, but inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse.

an inflated ego

When might swell be a better fit than amplify?

The words swell and amplify can be used in similar contexts, but swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits.

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of amplify Maybe the shooting shook something loose in her and has amplified her worst tendencies. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 Republicans have recently amplified claims that El-Sayed and his family have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 But having a persona, being aware of one’s persona — this has all been so chronically amplified by social media. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Women of Color Press, in 1980, to amplify the voices of people of color in publishing. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amplify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amplify

Verb

The findings raise the possibility of developing treatments that expand a patient’s gamma delta T cells outside the body before returning them to fight the cancer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Boston Dynamics‘ prototype operation brings engineers and machinists together to develop, manufacture, assemble, and maintain robotic hardware.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

To increase supply, the International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release more than 20 million barrels of fuel to the market.

— Arathy Somasekhar Reuters, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Preparing multiple missions Manufacturing more rocket hardware will not increase launch frequency unless teams can prepare several missions simultaneously.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

The complex political and economic climate has only intensified their desire to invest their own time and resources in uplifting other Latino and Hispanic creatives.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Their push intensified as questions emerged about district contracts and payments involving a consultant with ties to Sneed.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Verb

From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Blue Origin is expanding its Florida operations to support a much faster launch schedule, targeting multiple New Glenn flights per week by the end of the decade.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Verb

Every clinical breakthrough has cost implications, accelerates the pace of change and widens the gap between what is scientifically possible and what is practical for clinicians delivering care.

— Brad Kreick, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Its performance accelerated the slide of the ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela, which lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid and was forced to form a coalition government.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Verb

Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Here will be the makings of an 85-acre live-work-play sector of the city that theoretically will seamlessly nestle into a neighborhood and enhance everything from The Crossroads Arts District to Union Station and the National WWI Museum & Memorial.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

Consulting, contract, or part-time work can supplement your income without requiring you to resume a full-time job.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026
The nutritionist recommended one bottle of formula per day to supplement her intake, then two, and then multiple bottles per day.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of supplement

Verb

There is a naturalistic aesthetic to the film, augmented by the locations, the costumes and the hair and makeup design.

— Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Enabling that mode augments the on-device scam detection first shipped in March 2025, adding cloud analysis run in Google’s Private AI Compute environment.

— Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of augment

Browse Nearby Words

amplifies

amplify

amplifying

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Style

“Amplify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amplify. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of amplify

verb

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