The deepening gloom.    From Wordnet, Princeton University. 

Verb (used with object), verb (used without object) : Larger ships will be able to navigate the river after the main channel is deepened. The shadows deepened toward late afternoon. ,a deepening cyclone.    From Dictionary.com. 

BLITZER: President Obama on what he calls a deepening recession and a continuing disaster for many Americans.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jan 30, 2009] Reference

The older man smiled, the expression deepening the folds in his face.    From Wordnik.com.  [Cinderella At The Ball]

President's failed Iran engagement instead resulted in deepening bilateral ties with Israel.    From Wordnik.com.  [Sigurd Neubauer: How President Obama Grew to Become Israel's Best Friend] Reference

We are very interested in deepening our relationship with the United States and the Mexicans in NAFTA Thank you.    From Wordnik.com.  [Dancing with the Elephant: Contending with an Assertive Superpower in Trade and Global Diplomacy] Reference

Would vouchers then help only the motivated and savvy, leaving the most disadvantaged behind in deepening squalor?.    From Wordnik.com.  [Reversing White Flight] Reference

"An anvil chorus?" repeated Hen Dutcher, the puzzled expression deepening in his face.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Grammar School Boys Snowbound or, Dick & Co. at Winter Sports] Reference

It is also intended to alleviate what United Nations officials call a deepening humanitarian crisis in the territory.    From Wordnik.com.  [WSJ.com: What's News US] Reference

President Barack Obama on Thursday called deepening ties with India one of his administration's most important goals.    From Wordnik.com.  [The News Tribune Blogs] Reference

The rest of the program reaffirmed in the strongest possible terms the deepening chemistry between Slatkin and his charges.    From Wordnik.com.  [Freep.com - RSS] Reference

Then Miles spoke, and she listened eagerly, the flush dying out of her cheeks and a wistful expression deepening in her eyes.    From Wordnik.com.  [Betty Trevor] Reference

The progress of Government in this second sphere may be defined as the deepening and extension of man's duty towards his neighbour.    From Wordnik.com.  [Progress and History] Reference

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Thursday called deepening ties with India one of his administration's most important goals.    From Wordnik.com.  [Durangoherald.com] Reference

He felt it graze his face, and detected something that can only be described as a deepening of the dense gloom as it shot over his head.    From Wordnik.com.  [Two Boys in Wyoming A Tale of Adventure (Northwest Series, No. 3)] Reference

The narrative begins with drama, the "deepening" political crisis.    From Wordnik.com.  [Ma indictment Media Follies] Reference

So, while the "deepening" went ahead, they arranged to keep the Central.    From Wordnik.com.  [John Findley Foundation Lecture] Reference

They also discussed matters of common interest such as deepening relations between the two countries.    From Wordnik.com.  [ANC Daily News Briefing] Reference

The housing market hasn't found its bottom; weakness is "deepening," the Federal Reserve reminded us Wednesday.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Prospect] Reference

In females, side effects include acne and masculinization, such as deepening of the voice and male-pattern baldness.    From Wordnik.com.  [USATODAY.com - What parents and kids need to know about steroids] Reference

There are many ways this debate can hurt Democrats in November's election, such as deepening their image as tax-and-spend liberals.    From Wordnik.com.  [Deconstructing Harry Reid] Reference

I think there's more trouble in "deepening," but maybe it's just the metaphorically consistent word choice when you're going with "rift.".    From Wordnik.com.  [The lingering furor and the deepening rift.] Reference

So life, in deepening with me, deepened all.    From Wordnik.com.  [Aurora Leigh] Reference

Meanwhile, Fatah has accused Hamas of "deepening" the internal Palestinian crisis by obstructing the elections.    From Wordnik.com. Reference

He said the drop in oil will be offset by the rising value of the US dollar and the "deepening" global financial crisis.    From Wordnik.com.  [ATW Daily News] Reference

The word deepening, clearing, like the sky.    From Wordnik.com.  [This Is Not a Spade: The Poetry of Seamus Heaney] Reference

"deepening" of integration among current members of the EU.    From Wordnik.com. Reference

McCain's ties to Democrats are deep and deepening.    From Wordnik.com.  [Living Politics: Mccain Remains Bush's Top Nemesis] Reference

Mexico would be thrown into deepening crisis and depression.    From Wordnik.com.  [How To Save Face--And Trade] Reference

His laconic tone masks Finland's deepening sense of urgency about its giant neighbor.    From Wordnik.com.  [Deep-Frozen Assets] Reference

America's careless confidence now contrasts dramatically with Asia's deepening fatalism.    From Wordnik.com.  [A Guide For The Confused] Reference

Obama will certainly have to back a big stimulus package to counter the deepening recession.    From Wordnik.com.  [Obama’s Lincoln] Reference

In phone calls and e-mails home, he told of a deepening distrust of the Iraqis he encountered.    From Wordnik.com.  [Brothers in Arms] Reference

Although European leaders deny it, they are still engaged in the old deepening vs. widening debate.    From Wordnik.com.  [Time To Put Up Or Shut Up] Reference