The total cost rose sharply from the 1987 period, when companies spent $91.3 billion to buy each other.

Beginning in 1987 the numbers rose sharply to 48,000 people a year.

Still, the number is expected to rise sharply over the next five years.

The river was wide here, and on the far side the bank rose sharply.

A hill rose sharply to the left of the road.

Room rates also rose sharply - to an average of $171.39 a night, up 11 percent from the rate during the same period last year.

But he said the world's population is still rising sharply.

Military spending would rise sharply over the next five years.

Spending is rising sharply in many other areas as well.

The program could rise sharply in cost as the number of participants increased.