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accelerate Synonyms

Another word for accelerate

Choosing another word for accelerate depends on context, so the 11 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To begin to move more quickly, or to cause a vehicle or object to increase its speed.

Usage Example

"The driver had to speed up smoothly to merge into the fast-moving highway traffic."

Strongest
speed up
Strong
quicken
hasten

• verb (Context 2)

To cause a process, event, or change to happen sooner or develop more rapidly.

Usage Example

"Warm spring temperatures and steady rainfall helped speed up the growth of the newly planted crops."

Strongest
speed up
expedite
hasten
Strong
quicken
precipitate
step up
fast-track
spur

• verb (Context 3)

To undergo a change in velocity, either in speed or direction (in physics and mechanics).

Usage Example

"According to Newton's second law, an object will speed up in the direction of the net force applied to it."

Strong
speed up

• adjective (Context 4)

Quickened, hastened, or moving at an increased rate of speed (now archaic or poetic, except in biology to describe a stage of development occurring earlier than usual).

Usage Example

"Certain amphibian species exhibit accelerated development when environmental conditions require rapid metamorphosis."

Strongest
accelerated
Strong
quickened
hastened

Opposites of accelerate

The opposite of accelerate shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

decelerate
slow down
retard
delay
slow
brake
retarded
impede
See all opposites of accelerate

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Accelerate. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/accelerate
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