accelerate
verb (transitive)
UKəkˈsel.ə.reɪtUSəkˈsel.ə.reɪt
to move or cause to move more quickly; to speed up the rate of something
Example Sentences
Cars often accelerate when entering the highway to match the flow of traffic.
He accelerated the pace of the meeting to ensure it ended on time.
Pressing the gas pedal firmly causes the vehicle to accelerate more quickly.
The runners accelerated as they rounded the final bend toward the finish line.
Over the past few decades, technological developments have accelerated the global exchange of information, connecting people worldwide at an unprecedented pace.
In order to stay ahead of competitors, the company decided to accelerate its product launch schedule, motivating employees to work extra hours and streamline their processes.
Modern business tools can significantly accelerate workflow by automating repetitive tasks.
Lowering interest rates may accelerate economic growth, prompting businesses to invest more capital in new projects.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Increase velocity, speed, or progress quickly.Understanding the Term "Accelerate"
Used chiefly as a verb, "accelerate" implies moving faster or causing an increase in pace or growth. It can refer to both literal and figurative forms of progress.
Literal Usage
In its literal sense, "accelerate" might describe making a vehicle or process go at a higher speed. For example:
"The driver accelerated to merge onto the highway."
Figurative Usage
"Accelerate" also describes less tangible forms of progress, such as:
- Business Growth: "New funding accelerated our research, leading to earlier breakthroughs."
- Academic Pursuits: Highlighting faster achievement in education or study.
- Technological Development: Indicating swift advancements or innovations.
Applications in Different Fields
"Accelerate" conveys forward momentum across various contexts:
- Science: Referring to chemical reactions or advancements in experiments.
- Economics: Describing the quickening of market trends or economic development.
- Physics: Denoting a change in velocity, whether speeding up, slowing down (negative acceleration), or changing direction.
Writing Tips for Using "Accelerate"
- Consider the subject—what is being propelled forward or increasing in pace?
- Avoid overusing the word; synonyms like "hasten," "quicken," or "expedite" can add variety.
- When conveying urgency or energy, "accelerate" effectively emphasizes swift transitions or progress.
Professional and Scientific Use
In professional or scientific reports, clarify the factors driving acceleration:
- Are external forces involved, such as funding, resources, or technology?
- Is it a natural progression driven by internal dynamics?
Conclusion
"Accelerate" captures the essence of heightened speed or growth. When used effectively, it highlights transformation, urgency, or significant forward motion, making it a powerful choice for conveying progress in any context.
Alternatives
If you need to convey rapid progress or increased speed without repeating “accelerate,” consider alternatives like “expedite,” “quicken,” or “hasten.” “Expedite” highlights efficiency and timely handling, making it common in professional or bureaucratic contexts, such as “We must expedite the approval process.” “Quicken” focuses on bringing something to life or intensifying its pace, fitting well in narrative contexts—for instance, “Her pulse quickened with excitement.” “Hasten” conveys a sense of urgency or necessity, suggesting a rapid approach to a deadline or event, as in “They hastened their preparations before the storm arrived.”In technical or scientific writing, “speed up” offers a simple alternative, though it’s more informal. “Intensify” can also replace “accelerate” when emphasizing deeper magnitude or force rather than sheer speed. For business contexts, “fast-track” captures a sense of prioritizing or streamlining a process to reach objectives sooner. Each synonym carries unique nuances, so select one that best aligns with the tone, audience, and precise shade of meaning you want to convey.In everyday conversation, you might say “pick up the pace” if you prefer a more casual phrasing that still communicates urgency. By mixing in these alternatives thoughtfully, you’ll keep your writing or speech fresh, engaging, and purposeful, particularly when describing processes or events that move swiftly toward completion.
Writing
In your writing, “accelerate” can illustrate a sudden or purposeful increase in speed, productivity, or growth. Whether you’re drafting an academic paper, crafting a business proposal, or working on a piece of creative fiction, the term effectively underscores a transition from a slower pace to a more rapid one. By using this word, you can highlight critical turning points or emphasize the dramatic buildup to significant milestones.For academic or technical documents, it’s often paired with data or metrics—highlighting how something escalates over time. For example, “The rate of infection accelerated in the latter half of the year.” In such contexts, be specific about the factors fueling the acceleration. Are these external (e.g., policy changes, new funding, environmental triggers) or internal (e.g., product revisions, strategic pivots, personal development)? Adding details helps clarify why the acceleration matters and how it affects outcomes.In more narrative or descriptive work, “accelerate” can bring excitement or tension to a scene: “The music accelerated as the climactic moment approached.” The word can also mark a character’s deepening sense of urgency: “Fearing they would miss their train, they accelerated their pace along the crowded street.” Used well, “accelerate” not only injects a sense of dynamism but can also guide readers to notice pivotal changes or leaps in momentum. By balancing its usage with synonyms and concrete details, you maintain variety and precision throughout your writing.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “accelerate” typically means picking up speed or moving toward a goal faster. You might say, “We need to accelerate our plans if we want to finish by Friday,” to stress that you’re behind schedule. It can also pop up in chats about cars—“The sports car really accelerates once you hit the open road!”—or any setting where people or processes are speeding up.Though it’s perfectly fine to use “accelerate” in everyday talks, you might choose simpler terms like “hurry up” or “speed up,” especially if your audience isn’t accustomed to more formal language. If you do use “accelerate,” be aware that it might sound slightly more technical or sophisticated. In a group context, explaining specifics—“We’ve got to accelerate production by adding an extra shift”—helps maintain clarity and fosters understanding of why the urgency matters.Balancing practicality and informality often works best in casual conversations. Keep “accelerate” handy for moments when you need to emphasize a meaningful jump in progress or performance. Pairing it with friendly, accessible explanations ensures that you convey the sense of moving faster without sounding overly formal among friends, family, or colleagues in everyday interactions.
Etymology
The word “accelerate” originates from the Latin “accelerare,” formed by the prefix “ad-” (meaning “to” or “toward”) and “celerare,” which stems from “celer” (“swift” or “speedy”). This Roman root underscores the central idea of something pressing forward at a higher velocity or greater intensity. Over the centuries, “accelerate” has stayed close to this foundational meaning, focusing on quickening processes or motions.By the 16th century, “accelerate” entered Middle English usage in various contexts, encompassing both literal speed—like animals or vehicles moving faster—and metaphorical speed—like the spread of ideas or events. Today, it’s used across science, technology, business, and everyday language, reflecting that same spirit of increased momentum. Whether you’re talking about accelerating project deadlines, chemical reactions, or your heart rate after a sprint, this term continues to convey the crucial sense of pushing onward or upward at a rapid pace. Its Latinate heritage reminds us that the desire to speed up, make progress, and surge ahead is an age-old concept, rooted in humanity’s enduring quest for efficiency and advancement.