<p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.</li><li>Synonyms: extend, expand, prolong</li><li>Antonyms: decrease</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to become greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality: Sales of automobiles increased last year.</li><li>Antonyms: wane, lessen, contract, abate, decrease</li><li>to multiply by propagation.</li><li>Synonyms: swell, grow, expand, propagate</li><li>to wax, as the moon.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>growth or augmentation in numbers, size, strength, quality, etc.: the increase of crime.</li><li>the act or process of increasing.</li><li>Synonyms: expansion, enlargement</li><li>that by which something is increased.</li><li>the result of increasing.</li><li>produce of the earth.</li><li>product; profit; interest.</li><li>Obsolete: multiplication by propagation; production of offspring.</li><li>offspring; progeny.</li></ul>