verb

augmenter

increase

Faire devenir quelque chose plus grand, plus fort ou plus important.

The word "augmenter" in French means "to increase" or "to raise." It refers to the action of making something greater in quantity, size, intensity, or degree.

Usage

"Augmenter" can be used in various contexts. For example:

To increase a salary: "L'employeur a décidé d'augmenter le salaire des employés."
To raise a volume: "Peux-tu augmenter le volume de la musique ?"

Synonyms and Differences

Accroître: This synonym also means "to increase," typically used in more formal contexts or written language. It can imply a gradual or significant growth.
- Example: "Nous devons accroître notre production."
Élever: This term usually means "to raise" or "to lift" and often refers to something physical, like raising an object or position. It can also relate to levels of spiritual or ethical standing.
- Example: "Il a élevé le drapeau."
Majorer: This word specifically means "to raise" in financial terms, often used in contexts involving cost, rates, or prices.
- Example: "Le gouvernement a décidé de majorer les taxes."

Summary

While "augmenter" broadly refers to increasing something, "accroître" is often more formal and emphatic about growth, "élever" tends toward physical or qualitative contexts, and "majorer" pertains to financial increases. Each synonym has nuances that make them suitable for different contexts.