accelerate
ac·cel·er·ate
/ıkˈsɛləˌreıt/ verb , -ates, -at·ed, -at·ing
1 : to move faster : to gain speed
[ no obj ] She stepped on the gas and the car accelerated.
The plane accelerated down the runway.
[ + obj ] She stepped on the gas and accelerated the car. — opposite decelerate
2 : to cause (something) to happen sooner or more quickly
[ + obj ] He says that cutting taxes will help to accelerate economic growth.
Conditions accelerated our departure. [=conditions caused us to depart sooner]
[ no obj ] The rate of economic growth has continued to accelerate.
accelerated adj
Changes have occurred at an accelerated pace/rate.
She's taking an accelerated course in English. [=a course in which English is taught at a faster pace than usual]
accelerating adj
an accelerating rate
