progressive / ongoing
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progressive
Developing, spreading, or intensifying gradually and continuously. Often used in connection with diseases or processes that worsen over time.
Es handelt sich um eine langsam fortschreitende Krankheit, die nicht heilbar ist.
It is a slowly progressive disease that cannot be cured.
'Fortschreitend' (progressive/ongoing) is the present participle of the separable verb 'fortschreiten' (to progress/advance) (fort + schreiten). It literally means 'stepping forward' and describes a process that develops continuously.
Die fortschreitende Digitalisierung verändert unsere Arbeitswelt.
Ongoing digitalization is changing our working world.
The word 'fortschreitend' (progressive/ongoing) belongs more to written language or to a formal, factual style. It is often used in reports, academic texts, or news.
Der Bericht beschreibt die fortschreitende Zerstörung des Regenwaldes.
The report describes the ongoing destruction of the rainforest.
'Fortschreitend' (progressive) is especially often used in a medical context to describe diseases that worsen over time. Typical combinations are 'fortschreitende Krankheit' (progressive disease) or 'fortschreitende Demenz' (progressive dementia).
Die Forschung sucht nach Wegen, die fortschreitende Erkrankung zu verlangsamen.
Research is looking for ways to slow the progressive disease.
A very typical construction for describing the passage of time is 'bei fortschreitendem/fortschreitender + noun' (as the noun progresses/advances). This often introduces a description or a main clause.
Bei fortschreitender Dunkelheit wurde die Suche nach dem vermissten Wanderer eingestellt.
As darkness advanced, the search for the missing hiker was called off.
increasingly / waxing
'zunehmend' and 'fortschreitend' both describe that something changes over time and often becomes stronger. 'zunehmend' mainly emphasizes quantity, frequency, or intensity: something is becoming more and more. 'fortschreitend' emphasizes the course of a process: something develops further step by step. The word is often used for diseases, damage, or longer developments. If you simply want to say that something is increasing, 'zunehmend' fits. If the process itself is important, 'fortschreitend' sounds more precise.
Die Ärztin spricht mit der Familie über die fortschreitende Krankheit.
The doctor talks with the family about the progressive disease.
In der Pause wird es im Flur zunehmend laut.
During the break, it gets increasingly loud in the hallway.