increase
verb (used with object)
to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to.
was increasing
-
past progressiveof increase.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
On Thursday, Bessent said that he was increasing buybacks because current yields didn’t reflect the economy’s fundamentals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Worker pay is rising about 3.5% a year, similar to how fast it was increasing before the 2020 pandemic.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
On Tuesday, the IEA warned that the renewed fighting in the Middle East was increasing concerns over energy supplies.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
With growing requirements for traceability, Kelly said there was increasing demand for technological solutions to sustainability problems.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
This number, the report said, was increasing by more than 20 million samples each year.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
