What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Expansion vs Increase - What's the difference?

expansion | increase | Synonyms |

Increase is a synonym of expansion.



As nouns the difference between expansion and increase

is that expansion is the act or process of expanding while increase is an amount by which a quantity is increased.

As a verb increase is

to become larger.

expansion

English

Noun

  • The act or process of expanding.
    • The expansion of metals and plastics in response to heat is well understood.
  • The fractional change in unit length per unit length per unit temperature change.
  • A new addition.
    • My new office is in the expansion behind the main building.
  • A product to be used with a previous product.
    • This expansion requires the original game board.
  • That which is expanded; expanse; extended surface.
  • * Beattie
    • the starred expansion of the skies
  • (steam engines) The operation of steam in a cylinder after its communication with the boiler has been cut off, by which it continues to exert pressure upon the moving piston.

    • Antonyms

    * (act of expanding) contraction

    Related terms

    * expand * expanse * expansive

    Derived terms

    * expansionism * expansion joint * expansion team * expansion cleat * expansion pack

    increase

    English

    Alternative forms

    * encrease

    Verb

    (increas)
  • (of a quantity) To become larger.
  • * Bible, Genesis vii. 17
    • The waters increased and bare up the ark.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The heavens forbid / But that our loves and comforts should increase , / Even as our days do grow!
  • To make (a quantity) larger.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Fenella Saunders, magazine=(American Scientist)
    • , title= Tiny Lenses See the Big Picture , passage=The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.}}
  • To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
  • * Sir M. Hale
    • Fishes are more numerous of increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn.
  • (astronomy) To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
    • The Moon increases .

    Synonyms

    * (become larger) go up, grow, rise, soar (rapidly), shoot up (rapidly) * (make larger) increment, raise, (informal) up

    Antonyms

    * (become larger) decrease, drop, fall, go down, plummet (rapidly), plunge (rapidly), reduce, shrink, sink * (make larger) cut, decrease, decrement, lower, reduce

    Derived terms

    * increasable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An amount by which a quantity is increased.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Philip J. Bushnell
    • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= Solvents, Ethanol, Car Crashes & Tolerance , passage=Surprisingly, this analysis revealed that acute exposure to solvent vapors at concentrations below those associated with long-term effects appears to increase the risk of a fatal automobile accident. Furthermore, this increase in risk is comparable to the risk of death from leukemia after long-term exposure to benzene, another solvent, which has the well-known property of causing this type of cancer.}}
  • For a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger
  • (knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see .

    • Synonyms

    * (amount by which a quantity is increased) gain, increment, raise, rise

    Antonyms

    * (amount by which a quantity is increased) cut, decrease, decrement, drop, fall, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage

    External links

    * * * English ergative verbs English heteronyms 1000 English basic words