26 Other Ways to Say GROW | Grow Synonyms (Examples)

When we talk about the word grow, it can mean many things. You can use words like expand, increase, or develop to show growth in different ways. In this article, we will explore 26 useful synonyms for grow and give examples to help you use them correctly.

26 Different Ways to Say GROW: Another Word for GROW

Expand

The word expand means to make something bigger or to become bigger. You can use this when talking about space, business, ideas, or knowledge. It shows movement from a smaller state to a larger one. When you expand, you are increasing in size, influence, or amount. People use this word in both daily life and professional settings. You can expand your skills, your home, your business, or even your understanding of a topic. Using expand makes your meaning clear when you want to show growth in a general or specific way.

• The city plans to expand its subway system.
• He wants to expand his knowledge about history.
• They expanded the park to include new playgrounds.

Increase

Increase is used when something becomes bigger in number, size, or level. It is often used for amounts, prices, speed, or feelings. This word shows growth in a measurable way. For example, you can increase your savings, your effort, or the number of students in a class. Increase is very flexible and can be used in everyday conversations. When using this word, it is good to mention what is increasing and by how much to make your statement clear and helpful.

• The teacher wants to increase student participation.
• Her energy levels increase after a good sleep.
• The price of fruit increased this week.

Develop

Develop means to grow slowly and improve over time. It is often used for skills, ideas, relationships, or projects. When something develops, it changes from a simple state to a more advanced or complete state. You can develop a habit, a plan, or your talents. Using this word shows that growth is a process and may take time. Developing something is usually positive, showing progress and improvement. This word helps make your speech or writing sound thoughtful and detailed.

• She developed her painting skills over many years.
• The company developed a new product for customers.
• Children develop social skills in school.

Multiply

Multiply means to grow in number or amount. It is often used for living things, ideas, or results. When you multiply, you increase many times over. This word shows growth quickly or in large amounts. You can use multiply when talking about animals, money, or problems. It shows that the increase is more than just a small change, often fast and significant. Multiplying can be positive or negative depending on the context.

• The rabbits multiply every spring.
• Ideas can multiply when shared with others.
• Savings multiply with interest over time.

Flourish

Flourish means to grow very well or become very successful. It is often used for plants, businesses, or skills. When something flourishes, it shows health, strength, and beauty. You can flourish in life, studies, or your career. Flourishing often needs the right conditions like care, attention, or opportunity. Using this word makes your meaning strong, showing that growth is thriving and full of life.

• The flowers flourish in the garden.
• Her career flourished after she moved to the city.
• The local market flourishes in the summer.

Rise

Rise means to move upward or grow higher. It is often used for prices, numbers, or levels. When something rises, it increases steadily or naturally. You can rise in rank, temperature, or spirits. Using this word shows upward movement and improvement. Rise is a common word that fits in both casual and formal situations. It makes growth clear by showing that something is going up rather than just existing.

• Prices rise during the holidays.
• The sun rises in the morning.
• His confidence began to rise after practice.

Swell

Swell means to grow bigger, usually by stretching or filling up. It can be used for rivers, injuries, or emotions. Swelling shows that growth is happening physically or emotionally. It is often temporary and noticeable. You can swell with pride, with water, or with excitement. This word gives a vivid idea of growth and change.

• The river swelled after the storm.
• Her ankle swelled after the fall.
• The crowd swelled as more people arrived.

Advance

Advance means to move forward or grow in progress. It is often used for skills, careers, or technology. Advancing shows improvement and achievement. You can advance in learning, work, or life. Using this word shows that growth is positive and moving in the right direction. It emphasizes progress rather than size or number.

• He advanced quickly in his career.
• Technology advances every year.
• Students advance to the next level after exams.

Stretch

Stretch means to extend or grow longer. It can be used for objects, ideas, or abilities. Stretching shows growth by making more space or capacity. You can stretch your muscles, your imagination, or your budget. Using this word shows flexibility and effort in growth. It gives the idea of reaching further than before.

• The cat stretches in the sunlight.
• She stretches her skills by trying new tasks.
• The company stretches its budget to include new projects.

Strengthen

Strengthen means to grow stronger or more powerful. It is used for muscles, relationships, or skills. When you strengthen something, you make it more durable and reliable. You can strengthen friendships, teams, or abilities. Using this word shows improvement and support. It emphasizes the power gained through growth rather than size.

• Exercise strengthens your body.
• Good communication strengthens relationships.
• Reading strengthens the mind.

Surge

Surge means to grow suddenly and powerfully. It is often used for emotions, numbers, or water. A surge shows rapid growth or increase. You can have a surge of energy, popularity, or waves. Using this word emphasizes fast and noticeable growth. It gives a strong image of movement and strength.

• There was a surge of visitors to the website.
• Electricity surged during the storm.
• He felt a surge of happiness.

Escalate

Escalate means to grow quickly in intensity or size. It is often used for situations, problems, or costs. When something escalates, it becomes more serious or larger fast. Using this word shows rapid growth and can indicate both positive or negative situations. It makes your statement more dramatic and noticeable.

• Tensions escalated between the two teams.
• Costs escalated due to inflation.
• The conflict escalated quickly.

Boom

Boom means to grow very fast and successfully. It is used for businesses, cities, or industries. A boom shows rapid and strong growth. You can have a population boom, economic boom, or sales boom. Using this word shows success and large increase. It is a lively word that gives energy to your writing.

• The tech industry continues to boom.
• The town experienced a building boom.
• Tourism boomed last summer.

Amplify

Amplify means to grow stronger or louder. It can be used for sound, effects, or feelings. Amplifying shows that growth is making something more powerful or noticeable. You can amplify your voice, your efforts, or your influence. Using this word makes your meaning clear and shows active growth.

• The microphone amplifies her voice.
• Social media amplified the news.
• Exercise amplifies energy levels.

Elevate

Elevate means to lift up or raise to a higher level. It is often used for skills, status, or mood. Elevating shows improvement and growth. You can elevate knowledge, performance, or happiness. Using this word shows that growth is upward and positive.

• The teacher elevated the students’ understanding.
• Music elevated their spirits.
• The promotion elevated his status.

Expand upon

Expand upon means to add more details or make something bigger in idea. It is often used in stories, explanations, or plans. Expanding upon shows growth in depth rather than size. You can expand upon a report, a project, or a story. Using this word helps make your meaning richer and fuller.

• She expanded upon her essay with examples.
• He expanded upon the plan during the meeting.
• The teacher asked to expand upon the lesson.

Multiply by

Multiply by means to grow by a certain factor. It is often used in math, money, or results. Multiplying by shows exact growth or increase. You can multiply your efforts, resources, or numbers. Using this word shows clear and measurable growth.

• Investments can multiply by smart planning.
• The recipe multiplies by two to feed more people.
• Numbers multiply by ten in the calculation.

Thrive

Thrive means to grow well and succeed. It is often used for people, businesses, or plants. Thriving shows health, happiness, and progress. You can thrive in life, career, or education. Using this word emphasizes positive growth and success.

• Small businesses thrive with good service.
• Children thrive in a loving environment.
• The garden thrives in the rain.

Bloom

Bloom means to grow and produce flowers. It is often used for plants but also for people and ideas. Blooming shows beauty, freshness, and growth. You can bloom in talent, creativity, or confidence. Using this word gives a sense of natural and healthy growth.

• Roses bloom in the spring garden.
• Her talents bloom as she practices.
• Ideas bloom during brainstorming sessions.

Augment

Augment means to grow bigger by adding something. It is used for numbers, skills, or resources. Augmenting shows improvement and growth. You can augment knowledge, income, or strength. Using this word makes growth active and intentional.

• They augmented their income with side jobs.
• Training augmented his skills.
• The company augmented its team for the project.

Progress

Progress means to move forward or improve. It is often used for work, skills, or projects. Progressing shows growth over time. You can progress in studies, career, or health. Using this word emphasizes steady and continuous growth.

• The project continues to progress.
• She progressed in learning English.
• Health progressed with regular exercise.

Build up

Build up means to grow gradually. It is used for strength, knowledge, or confidence. Building up shows slow and steady growth. You can build up stamina, trust, or savings. Using this word emphasizes patience and effort in growth.

• Reading builds up knowledge over time.
• Exercise builds up muscle gradually.
• Trust builds up through honesty.

Heighten

Heighten means to make higher or more intense. It is used for feelings, senses, or excitement. Heightening shows growth in strength or effect. You can heighten awareness, interest, or energy. Using this word emphasizes stronger and noticeable growth.

• The coach heightened the team’s motivation.
• Music heightened the atmosphere.
• Suspense heightened in the story.

Accumulate

Accumulate means to gather or grow over time. It is used for objects, knowledge, or wealth. Accumulating shows slow and steady growth. You can accumulate experience, money, or items. Using this word emphasizes the gradual and ongoing nature of growth.

• Dust accumulates on the shelves.
• Experience accumulates with practice.
• Wealth accumulates through careful saving.

Stretch out

Stretch out means to extend fully or grow in length. It is used for objects, time, or effort. Stretching out shows growth in space or capacity. You can stretch out your arms, time, or resources. Using this word emphasizes reaching further and expanding fully.

• He stretched out his hand to help.
• She stretched out the deadline for the project.
• The cat stretched out on the carpet.

Final Thoughts

Using different words for grow helps make writing and speaking more interesting. Each synonym has its own meaning and examples. Choose the right one to show size, progress, or improvement effectively.