Also means
to speed up
Usage Note
Acelerar is used both literally (acelerar el coche, 'to accelerate the car') and figuratively (acelerar el proceso, 'to speed up the process'). The reflexive acelerarse can mean to rush or, colloquially in Spain, to get worked up or flustered: no te aceleres ('calm down / don't get carried away'). Note SESEO: the c before e is pronounced 's', not 'th'.
Examples
"Necesitas acelerar en la autopista."
Natural Translation
You need to accelerate on the highway.

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