Amplify — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈam-plə-ˌfī/ am·pli·fy

Meaning & Definition of Amplify

Amplify (verb)

  1. to expand (something, such as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis
  2. to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity), increase
  3. to increase the strength or amount of; especially, to make louder

Amplify (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express more fully and in greater detail

    "after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances"

    similar: develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out)
    related: add (to), complement, supplement, discourse, expatiate, ramble, run on
    opposite: abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten
    near: compress, contract, outline, summarize, sum up

  2. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "the number of blood volunteers was significantly amplified by the promise of thank-you gifts to donors"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

  3. to make markedly greater in measure or degree

    "a fox's large ears serve to amplify such sounds as little critters skittering among stones"

    similar: accentuate, amp (up), beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen
    related: broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen, accelerate, hasten, quicken, emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress, augment, enforce, reinforce, restrengthen, supplement, maximize, enliven, jazz (up), aggravate, exacerbate
    opposite: abate, moderate
    near: decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken, dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Amplify

The most common words with a similar meaning to Amplify:

develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, escalate, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up, accentuate, amp (up), beef (up), consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Amplify

Words with the opposite meaning of Amplify:

abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten, abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from), moderate

Related Words for Amplify

complement, supplement, discourse, expatiate, ramble, run on, boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, reinforce, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay, broaden

Near Antonyms of Amplify

compress, contract, outline, summarize, sum up, curtail, constrict, cut back, retrench, let up (on), subdue, tone (down), weaken, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten

Word Forms of Amplify

Inflections: amplified, amplifying

Origin & Etymology of Amplify

Middle English amplifien "to enlarge, increase," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French amplifier, borrowed from Latin amplificāre "to increase the size of, augment," from amplus "more than adequate in size or extent, ample" + -i- -i- + -ficāre -fy

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Amplify

Frequently Asked Questions about Amplify

What does "Amplify" mean?

"Amplify" means to expand (something, such as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis. As a verb, it is defined as: to expand (something, such as a statement) by the use of detail or illustration or by closer analysis. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Amplify"?

Other words for "Amplify" include develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), accelerate and add (to). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Amplify" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Amplify"?

There are 79 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Amplify". Common alternatives include develop, dilate (on or upon), elaborate (on), enlarge (on or upon), expand, flesh (out), accelerate, add (to), aggrandize and augment.

What is the opposite of "Amplify"?

Antonyms of "Amplify" include abbreviate, abridge, condense, shorten, abate, decrease, de-escalate and diminish. Near antonyms include compress, contract, outline and summarize.

How do you use "Amplify" in a sentence?

Examples of "Amplify" in a sentence: "after filing a report of missing luggage, he was asked to amplify a bit as to the circumstances"; "the number of blood volunteers was significantly amplified by the promise of thank-you gifts to donors"; "a fox's large ears serve to amplify such sounds as little critters skittering among stones".

Is "Amplify" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Amplify" is a verb.

Is "Amplify" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Amplify" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Amplify"?

"Amplify" is pronounced /ˈam-plə-ˌfī/ and divided into syllables as am·pli·fy.