accelerate
verb (used with object)
to cause faster or greater activity, development, progress, advancement, etc., in.
were accelerating
-
past progressiveof accelerate.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.
By summer, Canadian and European officials were accelerating their discussions in a proliferating number of diplomatic backchannels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
By April 19, the tilt sensor measurements were accelerating at a rate that made scientists determine a collapse was imminent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
While Barcelona were accelerating, Real began dropping points in games they would normally expect to win.
From BBC ● May 11, 2026
On Monday he warned "the drivers" of nuclear weapons proliferation were accelerating.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Things felt as if they were accelerating, about to spin out of control.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
