The recent speech of the president augmented tensions in the Near East.
source: WordNet 3.0
grow or intensify
The pressure augmented.
source: WordNet 3.0
To enlarge or increase in size, amount, or degree; to swell; to make bigger; as, to augment an army by reëforcements; rain augments a stream; impatience augments an evil.
source: Webster 1913
To increase; to grow larger, stronger, or more intense; as, a stream augments by rain.
