verb
mount
To grow in amount or intensity.
Pressure mounts as the team falls further behind schedule.
Etymology
The source verb means to rise. Applied to amounts or feelings, mount describes their increasing as though they were climbing higher.
More examples
- Repair costs mounted after workers discovered damage to the roof.
- Excitement is mounting as opening night approaches.
- Unpaid bills mount up when there is no steady income.
Forms
mount · mounts · mounted · mounting
Similar words
- increase
- Increase is more neutral and covers any measurable growth.
- accumulate
- Accumulate emphasizes amounts collecting gradually rather than growing stronger.
- intensify
- Intensify emphasizes growing stronger, not necessarily larger in amount.