as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
to make greater in size, amount, or number
the president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalated
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
This is the second Friday in a row protests have escalated as activists stage hours-long demonstrations outside the facility.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
As things escalated between the two schools, video emerged showing Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Her behavior escalated after she was asked to stop, according to the filing.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 19 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
Over the next five months, as the court advanced with the legal proceedings and heard the closing submissions of the defense lawyers and the attorney general, political tensions in the country escalated.
—Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
No serious person is calling for American troops in Ukraine, but Trump’s insistence on blaming Ukraine and not pushing Russia for serious concessions has escalated the conflict.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Sales collapsed, relationships soured and internal blame escalated.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
His crimes escalated to murder, and in 1957, he was arrested after killing local hardware store owner Bernice Worden.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
This is the second Friday in a row protests have escalated as activists stage hours-long demonstrations outside the facility.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
As things escalated between the two schools, video emerged showing Juluke slapping LSU safety Joel Rogers.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Her behavior escalated after she was asked to stop, according to the filing.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 19 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
Over the next five months, as the court advanced with the legal proceedings and heard the closing submissions of the defense lawyers and the attorney general, political tensions in the country escalated.
—Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
No serious person is calling for American troops in Ukraine, but Trump’s insistence on blaming Ukraine and not pushing Russia for serious concessions has escalated the conflict.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Sales collapsed, relationships soured and internal blame escalated.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
For example, there are those who argue that semiannual earnings reports may put increased pressure on management to provide smaller, more frequent updates to keep investors up to date.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Its studies showed no increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse events.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to a recent report by the Census Bureau, the country added more than 22 million homes between 2005 and 2024, but the effective number of vacant homes during this same time frame rose by only about 570,000.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Inflation in India rose in August.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Roots Of The 70-Hour Workweek The 996 work culture originated in China's tech and manufacturing sectors in the early 2010s, becoming widespread as the country's rapid economic growth accelerated through the mid-2010s.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The introduction of name, image and likeness money and unlimited transfers has accelerated player movement at an unprecedented rate and lowered the ceiling at the top of the sport.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The coming week will bring the latest personal consumption expenditures price index — the Fed's preferred inflation measure — which is expected to show elevated pricing pressures.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
21 Sep. 2025
-
This elevated riff on classic potato salad will be the talk of your next potluck.—
Southern Living Editors,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thus, while the sheer number of applicants swelled significantly, the number of qualified applicants did not necessarily expand, and the odds of admission remained largely unchanged for competitive applicants.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Only the South will see a net increase in high-school graduates, and that’s the region where out-of-state enrollment has swelled the most among public flagships.—
Jeffrey Selingo,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The waiver program, which was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce in-person interviews, will now be limited to a narrow set of categories.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In 2008, that expanded into menswear, where ripped jeans and tough leather blousons became a signature.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Turkish Defense Ministry/AP Key Takeaways Larger carriers carry more aircraft, fuel, and supplies for longer operations but come with higher costs, bigger crews, greater risk from advanced weapons, and trouble in tight or shallow waters.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Linebacker Luke Ferrelli, a redshirt freshman from Carlsbad High School, has a team-high 27 tackles, followed by junior linebacker Cade Uluave (24) and junior defensive back Isaiah Crosby (21).—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The rise of Saudi Arabia, just 15 miles away, has boosted its fortunes, too, as many expats based there flock to Bahrain on weekends given the more Western-style daily life.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
20 Sep. 2025
-
With the raise, the city joins several others throughout the Bay who have boosted compensation for city councilmembers.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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