increasingly

American  

[in-kree-sing-lee] / ɪnˈkri sɪŋ li /

adverb

1. to an ever greater degree; more and more: Marketers are increasingly using video to create meaningful emotional connections with their consumers.

   He became increasingly nervous and overwrought and began to suffer bouts of depression.

   Marketers are increasingly using video to create meaningful emotional connections with their consumers.

---

Etymology

Origin of increasingly

increasing ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

This adverb applies to anything that is happening more often, in greater numbers, or with greater intensity. An increasingly hot summer keeps getting hotter. To increase something is to add to it numerically, like increasing the size of your family by having a baby. Anything that happens increasingly is growing in some way. An increasingly depressed person keeps getting sadder. An increasingly sick patient keeps getting worse. An increasingly corrupt government is getting less and less honest. When you see this word, you know something is intensifying.

Example Sentences

Affluent Americans with six-figure salaries are increasingly visiting discount retailers for essentials.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

As president of the American Kabaddi Federation, Singh felt increasingly shaken as the cancellations mounted.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

At the same time, the labor market is showing signs of strain, with hiring slowing and job growth becoming increasingly uneven.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Chinese electric vehicles have become increasingly packed with unconventional features, like built-in massage seats, karaoke systems and a fridge, to stand out in a highly competitive market.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The decision was debated for some time, with committee members growing increasingly frustrated.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• more
• more and more
• progressively