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
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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
Ukraine and Hungary have been locked in an escalating feud since deliveries of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia were halted in January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory.
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ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran escalated strikes on energy sites in neighboring Gulf states, including a key facility in Qatar, in response to an Israeli attack on South Pars, the world's biggest gas field.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Eli Lilly – continuing a nearly century-long duel with Novo Nordisk that began with insulin and is escalating with GLP-1s – anticipates FDA approval of its own pill, called orforglipron, before the end of June.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Arab Gulf states warn that Israel's actions jeopardize global energy security and escalate tensions.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran escalated strikes on energy sites in neighboring Gulf states, including a key facility in Qatar, in response to an Israeli attack on South Pars, the world's biggest gas field.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Eli Lilly – continuing a nearly century-long duel with Novo Nordisk that began with insulin and is escalating with GLP-1s – anticipates FDA approval of its own pill, called orforglipron, before the end of June.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Arab Gulf states warn that Israel's actions jeopardize global energy security and escalate tensions.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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This kind of early-season heat can also increase fire weather concerns across parts of Colorado, especially when warm temperatures combine with dry air and gusty winds.—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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But the Denver offense, which increased the pressure in the final minutes of the match, couldn’t find the back of the net again.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Military robot surge Foundation is accelerating the development of military-capable humanoid robots, with plans to manufacture up to 50,000 units by the end of 2027.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
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This is especially important after age 65, which is when muscle loss accelerates, Zinn says.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lambermont pushed back on the assertion that data centers are squarely to blame for rising electricity bills.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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It is also called Resurrection Sunday and is celebrated as the day Jesus rose from the dead.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other bank expansions in Charlotte Several other banks have been expanding in the Charlotte region, too.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On the morning of March 14, hospital staff noted his tongue had swollen and administered epinephrine.—
Bo Evans,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Lawmakers pared back the idea through the amendment process in February, citing concerns that the original language would swell state spending, box out private pest control companies and create an unfunded mandate to counties, which historically handle pests that threaten farms and infrastructure.—
Mark Dee
March 17,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Strauss opened the hourlong session by laying out NBCUniversal’s evolving vision for Peacock and plans to augment the streaming experience.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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There are also plans to use it to augment human memory, or for use as direct brain-to-brain communication and messaging.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Messenger Mercury conjoins ambitious Mars in your 3rd House of Communication, boosting errands and sibling talks, as well as putting more focus on practical, timely conversations.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Noem, who’d been willing to do virtually anything in the role to boost her standing, was a product of the White House agenda, never a shaper of it.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He’s known as someone who could raise the tide of an entire defense based on his football IQ and his propensity for getting his teammates properly aligned.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Rochester Township Council held its regular meeting on Thursday evening, and it was packed with people who were raising concerns about chemical odors lingering in their neighborhood.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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