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
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Overnight ground operations and strikes by Pakistani forces killed at least 36 civilians and wounded more than 160 others, Afghan officials said Monday, as tensions between the neighbors further escalated.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
According to court documents and body camera footage released publicly on June 26, 2026, the encounter escalated rapidly after the woman rolled her eyes in response to Carrico's questioning.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Days of public dispute over the terms of the deal — both around the future of the key trade route and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets — escalated into new military attacks after Iran attacked ships transiting the strait.
—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
Oil was trading globally near prewar prices on Sunday — under $70 a barrel — even as tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend.
—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The conflicts of interest have escalated in his second term.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
An argument escalated into gunfire Friday night, killing a man in Kansas City’s Lykins neighborhood, police said.
—
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
Other symptoms escalated slowly.
—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
Verb
Netanyahu’s allies have already escalated their attacks.
—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Overnight ground operations and strikes by Pakistani forces killed at least 36 civilians and wounded more than 160 others, Afghan officials said Monday, as tensions between the neighbors further escalated.
—
ABC News,
29 June 2026
According to court documents and body camera footage released publicly on June 26, 2026, the encounter escalated rapidly after the woman rolled her eyes in response to Carrico's questioning.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Days of public dispute over the terms of the deal — both around the future of the key trade route and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets — escalated into new military attacks after Iran attacked ships transiting the strait.
—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
29 June 2026
Oil was trading globally near prewar prices on Sunday — under $70 a barrel — even as tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend.
—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2026
The conflicts of interest have escalated in his second term.
—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
An argument escalated into gunfire Friday night, killing a man in Kansas City’s Lykins neighborhood, police said.
—
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
Other symptoms escalated slowly.
—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
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Research has shown that there is a 42% increased likelihood of tuning in to a full game after watching clips and interviews on TikTok, according to WARC Media.
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Hotels are also preparing for increased demand.
Verb
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Revenue at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, rose to $77 million from roughly $50 million in 2024, the filing shows.
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But under the new system, average premiums rose — pushing more people to drop coverage.
Verb
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This openness also accelerated the tech industry in a less obvious way.
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The financial collapse in 2008 accelerated wealth inequality.
Adjective
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The rising ratio of price to income, coupled with elevated interest rates, has put homeownership out of reach for millions of millennial and Gen Z Americans.
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Julia Giarmoleo, an EPA spokesperson, said the monitors did not detect elevated metals, but would not provide a copy of the data without a federal records request.
Verb
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Her five of fifty-eight party-line rulings swelled this term to thirteen of fifty-six.
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Over the last three years, DpHue has more than doubled its business in Ulta and Amazon, specifically, as the at-home color market has swelled 3 to 5 percent annually.
Verb
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Since his appointment to COO in 2018, the firm’s assets under management have roughly doubled, while its client base has expanded across new geographies.
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Companies that made the largest AI investment expanded entry-level job hiring by 12%.
Adjective
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Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.
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The federal government and states have begun investigating pricing strategies that companies report have led to higher profits.
Verb
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The administration boosted federal law enforcement for city patrols and then announced a crime emergency, taking control of DC’s police department and ordering an influx of roughly 2,000 National Guard troops.
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While federal pandemic aid has boosted the state budget for years, that funding is running dry.
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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