accretion

noun

ə-ˈkrē-shən How to pronounce accretion (audio)
Definition of accretionnext
1
as in accumulation
a mass or quantity that has piled up or that has been gathered over a period of time a thick accretion of ice in a freezer that obviously had not been cleaned for some time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in increase
something added (as by growth) accretions of lime have thickened the cave's stalactites and stalagmites over the centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 accretion The clearest examples of margin accretion from AI adoption come from companies where the AI application is direct and the output is measurable. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 Streaming algorithms by definition cannot manufacture that kind of slow accretion of cultural meaning. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 May 2026 Both insertions — one for art, the other for movement — negotiate with the museum’s history of accretion. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 May 2026 In Worcester County, the main impact will be ice accretion. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accretion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for accretion
  1. accumulation
  2. increase
  3. collection
  4. gain
  5. addition
  6. boost
Noun
  • Kusama represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale, becoming the first female artist to solely represent Japan at the event, and the accumulation of her work was met with acclaim.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Bardy and his team engineered neurons from skin cells donated from children diagnosed with the syndrome, recreating the accumulation of heparan sulfate, as well as the resulting inflammation and cell death.
    — Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of accumulation
Noun
  • The typical small business faces premium increases of 14% next year, based on a preliminary analysis by KFF.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Australia’s National Emergency Management Agency has warned that the growing trend of concurrent and cascading disasters is expected to continue and, in many cases, increase.
    — Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Noun
  • Last year, Tatcha launched a Longevity collection inspired by Okinawan rituals, which so far includes a skin-boosting serum and cream, respectively.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • A Little Rock police incident report lists Shelton as a suspect in the theft of mail from the post office at 7401 Colonel Glenn Road, where a blue postal collection box had been broken into early Friday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of collection
Noun
  • Rucci caught a fourth-and-1 conversion pass from Adrian Martinez for a 10-yard gain to the Raiders’ 36, followed by James’ second-effort, 17-yard run.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In an interview with CNBC, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the efficiency gains of the Sol model.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Noun
  • With key draft additions filling secondary gaps alongside veteran pass rushers upfront, even a middle-of-the-pack defensive performance would drastically change Dallas' game-to-game outlook.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The addition of Victory+ had been designed in part to accommodate the NWSL’s growing inventory after expansion to 16 teams increased the regular-season schedule from 182 matches in 2025 to 240 this year.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of addition
Noun
  • But the reflation boost appears to be petering out as much of the price recovery has been driven by surging global energy costs, while domestic demand lags.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • That is a big boost for the detection of worlds that don't pass between Earth and their host star.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of boost

Browse Nearby Words

accreting
accretion
accretions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accretion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/accretion. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on accretion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about accretion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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