Meaning & use
accrete
Last updated
to grow or increase gradually by the accumulation of additional layers or parts.
See it in a sentence
Over millions of years, sediment accreted to form the rock formation.
Small debts can accrete over time into an overwhelming amount.
A note on using this word
Commonly used in geology and astronomy to describe how planets or rock layers form, but also applies figuratively to gradual growth in other contexts.
Words with a similar meaning
accumulatebuild up
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
erodediminish
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