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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalated
Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The tension is escalated when Fanning’s Margo chooses to make ends meet by cultivating a following on OnlyFans.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Oil prices jumped to a four-year high this week as fighting in the Middle East escalated and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
That band’s statement alleged his threats escalated in recent months.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Over the past few months, his threats only escalated further.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Brian Littrell’s bid for privacy on a Florida beach escalated into a heated confrontation that ended with a 911 call.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The company had also recently staged a high-profile Cybertruck delivery event in Dubai’s Al Marmoom desert, handing over 63 vehicles in January, just weeks before tensions escalated.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
The record-breaking transfers and salaries are a consequence of surging investment in women’s soccer, particularly within the NWSL, where franchise valuations have rapidly escalated from in the area of $1 million to $2 million before 2022 to hundreds of millions today.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Authorities allege the encounter escalated when the agent approached the suspects’ car with $600 in government funds to buy one of the guns.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The tension is escalated when Fanning’s Margo chooses to make ends meet by cultivating a following on OnlyFans.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Oil prices jumped to a four-year high this week as fighting in the Middle East escalated and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted.
—Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
That band’s statement alleged his threats escalated in recent months.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Over the past few months, his threats only escalated further.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Brian Littrell’s bid for privacy on a Florida beach escalated into a heated confrontation that ended with a 911 call.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
The company had also recently staged a high-profile Cybertruck delivery event in Dubai’s Al Marmoom desert, handing over 63 vehicles in January, just weeks before tensions escalated.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
The record-breaking transfers and salaries are a consequence of surging investment in women’s soccer, particularly within the NWSL, where franchise valuations have rapidly escalated from in the area of $1 million to $2 million before 2022 to hundreds of millions today.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Curtis Reigh, one of nine Republicans running for county commissioner, also cited the lack of public comment at board meetings as a reason for increased interest among candidates, including younger contenders.—
Rhiannon Evans,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Allergy season brings airborne irritants, which include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen that trigger immune responses, which cause increased swelling.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once North Carolina fired Hubert Davis after five seasons, Billy Donovan immediately rose to the top of the list of favorites to become the next head coach of the storied program.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While consumers worldwide face steep price hikes, Brazilian gasoline prices rose just 5% in March — compared to 30% in the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decline has accelerated sharply in recent weeks, with net approval dropping roughly 5 points over a short span.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Not everything should be accelerated equally.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Formed in 1949, the alliance initially included 12 countries, but has swelled to 32 members.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But this winter, despite the thin and vanishing snowpack, the Black River swelled.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The war in Iran and the ensuing collapse in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has driven more cargo to Pakistani ports and effectively expanded their role in wider trade throughout South and Southeast Asia.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To help financially vulnerable property owners get through taxes, Bristol offers senior volunteer tax credits and senior circuit-breaker programs, and has expanded its veterans tax exemptions.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
More importantly, Slaughter expanded her game, operating more in the post, rebounding at a higher level and continuing to handle the ball effectively.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Those who leave earlier — by May 31 — are eligible for the highest financial incentive.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This time, there were more events scheduled − 3,300 versus 2,700 − and larger crowds reported in some places, boosted in part by opposition to the war in Iran.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Featuring the dynamic duo of vitamin C and retinol, boosted by the power of vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and salicylic acid, along with soothing organic aloe vera, squalane, hyaluronic acid, MSM and rose hip oil to rejuvenate, nourish and target uneven skin tone.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
