1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accelerate
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
Wolf attacks on cattle, which began in earnest in the summer of 2018, this year escalated to a degree that strained local law enforcement and terrified residents.
—
Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Still, on an aggregate basis, US households appear to be managing their debt and delinquencies haven’t escalated to concerning levels, Moody’s Analytics’ US Household Debt report for August showed.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
His new film follows a man whose life unravels after a seemingly minor traffic incident escalates into an exploration of guilt, justice and fate.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2025
A week later, Israel began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City, further escalating tensions across the region.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Still, on an aggregate basis, US households appear to be managing their debt and delinquencies haven’t escalated to concerning levels, Moody’s Analytics’ US Household Debt report for August showed.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
His new film follows a man whose life unravels after a seemingly minor traffic incident escalates into an exploration of guilt, justice and fate.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2025
A week later, Israel began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City, further escalating tensions across the region.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Start with once daily, and if your skin can handle it, gradually increase to two or three times per week.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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When a La Niña phase occurs, less wind shear occurs in the regions of the Atlantic basin where tropical weather develops, increasing the potential for more storms, AccuWeather said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cade Saunders and Elijah Womack both had rushing TDs in the first quarter to accelerate the blowout, and Saunders also had a pick to set up another first-half score.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
20 Sep. 2025
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Analysts say the shift is accelerating decision-making and increasing the likelihood of military action.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There will be times, like at a raucous Goodison Park last February, when Everton can rise to an occasion and make life difficult for their neighbours.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
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At times like the present, when inflation is rising and the labor market is slowing, the dual mandates are sitting on a see-saw.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Under the agreement, Cracker Barrel expanded its board from 10 to 11 members and appointed Jody Bilney, one of Biglari’s preferred nominees, as an independent director.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
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Among them are Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's growing threat to NATO's eastern flank and the war in Gaza, where Israel's offensive on Gaza City is expanding as the two leaders meet.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On long flights, your legs tend to swell, leading to discomfort, cramping, and even numbness— but a good pair of compression leggings, like this pick from CompressionZ, can prevent those symptoms.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Sep. 2025
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But your eyes aren’t sunken beneath scar tissue and your ears haven’t swollen into dumplings of cartilage.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For retailers, this evolution is less about replacing human judgment and more about augmenting it with capabilities that can process complexity at a scale and speed humans can't match.—
Charisma Glassman,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Britain’s queen consort augmented her sapphire gown with special pieces of sapphire and diamond jewelry, including a tiara that paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II — the Belgian sapphire tiara.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials say these events have intensified threat assessments and prompted tighter control over all physical and aerial access points.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Under leader Xi Jinping, China has intensified military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, regularly sending fighter jets and warships, looking to squeeze its presence on the world stage.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, a 2024 change in California government code allowed cities to boost city council compensation up to certain limits based on their population.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
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Seasonal fall produce can boost a heart-healthy diet.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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