accrete

verb

ac·​crete ə-ˈkrēt How to pronounce accrete (audio)
accreted; accreting
Synonyms of accretenext

intransitive verb

: to grow or become attached by accretion

transitive verb

: to cause to adhere or become attached
also : accumulate

Synonyms of accrete

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Examples of accrete in a Sentence

silt accreting at the mouth of the river over time
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile ice can accrete on both the top and underside of branches and power lines. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2026 The pieces have accreted over time, gobbled up from years and years of StackExchange posts and Reddit threads. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026 Others got flung toward the accreting planet by collisions or close encounters with other objects, and Jupiter played a key role in that process. — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 June 2026 In a gas-dwarf scenario, planets are believed to form rock cores that accrete a small percentage of hydrogen-helium during the formation process. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accrete

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from accretion

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of accrete was in 1712

Rhymes for accrete

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Browse Nearby Words

accrescent
accrete
accretion
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Cite this Entry

“Accrete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accrete. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

accrete

verb
ac·​crete ə-ˈkrēt How to pronounce accrete (audio)
accreted; accreting

intransitive verb

: to grow or become attached by accretion

transitive verb

: to cause to adhere or become attached
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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