tick
noun
a slight, sharp, recurring click, tap, or beat, as of a clock.
are ticking
-
present progressiveof tick.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That indicates that while claims are ticking higher, they are not at “alarming levels” so far, says Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist for Oxford Economics.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2025
Still, there are signs of life: Rents are ticking up in the financial district and sales of luxury real estate are recovering, according to real-estate firm Savills.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
And at the same time, borrowing and unemployment are ticking up and there is no sign of the economy budging, even though getting it to grow is Labour's number one mission.
From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2025
Coronavirus levels are ticking up, but overall rates are still quite low.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2023
“Do we really have to spin and count spaces and all that junk? We have a deadline. Clocks everywhere are ticking against us.”
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
