increase
verb (used with object)
to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to.
were 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.
In March Sir Keir told MPs that ministers were increasing defence spending by £270bn.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Britain's biggest bookstore chain Waterstones saw sales of Wilson's work rise over 1,000 percent compared to 2025 and were "increasing every week" alongside purchases of "all other available translations," a spokeswoman said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Nearly three times as many executives at companies using or exploring AI said they were increasing their junior-level hiring in 2026 than cutting back, according to Strada Education Foundation, which surveyed about 1,500 employers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
The company also showed that profits were increasing rapidly, as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — a closely followed measure of underlying profitability — soared 412% from last year to $167 million.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 25, 2026
There was no doubt that the hard-core troublemakers were increasing their activities, and without the men of the 101st, they increased a hundredfold.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
