What is the difference between "to augment" and "to increase"? "The mixed burgers had higher levels of certain sulphur-containing compounds that are believed to augment the meat "notes" in a burger's aroma. "The recent speech of the president augmented tensions in the Near East" "The pressure augmented" "Continuing rains augmented the floodwaters." http://www.thefreedictionary.com/augment 1. to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase. 2. Music. a. to raise (the upper note of an interval or chord) by a half step. b. to double the note values of (a theme). 3. Gram. to add an augment to. 4. to become larger. 5. a prefixed vowel or a lengthening of the initial vowel that characterizes certain forms in the nonpresent inflection of verbs in Greek, Sanskrit, Armenian, and Phrygian.