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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of escalated
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The argument escalated to the point where Hunt made physical contact with her, according to the warrant.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Democrats have escalated their negotiating tactics with congressional Republicans and White House officials, who've been in sensitive talks over reforming the 9/11-era Cabinet agency since federal agents killed a second Minnesotan, 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, in January.
—Zachary Schermele, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
There, an argument broke out that quickly escalated and turned violent.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Early last month, farmers escalated their protests with a 48-hour blockade of major highways, toll stations and junctions over high production costs and the European Union’s trade deal with South American nations.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
On Monday, what started as a peaceful protest quickly escalated.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Multiple warning signs existed prior to public disclosure but were not escalated appropriately.
—Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
When the fight escalated, Lagrone shot Manns once with a pistol, the bullet going through Manns’ arm and lodging in his spine, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
According to the eyewitness, tensions escalated after the man — who had allegedly been drinking — was unable to purchase cigarettes onboard and became aggressive.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The argument escalated to the point where Hunt made physical contact with her, according to the warrant.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Democrats have escalated their negotiating tactics with congressional Republicans and White House officials, who've been in sensitive talks over reforming the 9/11-era Cabinet agency since federal agents killed a second Minnesotan, 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, in January.
—Zachary Schermele, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
There, an argument broke out that quickly escalated and turned violent.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Early last month, farmers escalated their protests with a 48-hour blockade of major highways, toll stations and junctions over high production costs and the European Union’s trade deal with South American nations.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
On Monday, what started as a peaceful protest quickly escalated.
—Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Multiple warning signs existed prior to public disclosure but were not escalated appropriately.
—Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
When the fight escalated, Lagrone shot Manns once with a pistol, the bullet going through Manns’ arm and lodging in his spine, the release said.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Redshirt sophomore forwards Jana El Alfy and Ayanna Patterson may also see increased minutes.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Strengthening trade ties with developing economies have also bolstered the case for increased use of renminbi in foreign transactions.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has not ruled out granting Maxwell clemency, but Republican pushback to that notion quickly rose after Maxwell made the appeal.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Swirling and intricate pink rose custom Pierre Frey wallpaper and deep blue wainscoting lead to the LaVerne suite, and mint greens and pastel pinks plus detailed wallpaper of Southwestern cacti and brush mirror Hal Thompson’s likes.—
Mandy Ellis,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those investigators learned that Rich was standing in the intersection with his hands on his hips and was not armed when DeOrzio accelerated without a warning and struck him, Steele said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The pandemic, of course, accelerated a troubling trend of newspaper closures over the last 20 years.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The latest earnings reports from major technology companies have revived investors’ concerns about payoffs on elevated artificial intelligence (AI) spending.—
TipRanks,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
For a more casual outfit, this top would pair well with your favorite pair of jeans and ballet flats, or it could be worn with a satin midi skirt for a more elevated look.—
Jordyn Burrell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Haynam’s lawsuit came as scrutiny of Kersten’s leadership swelled in the wake of the Dexter Reed shooting in March 2024.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The scandal swelled after British media reported a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which the veteran Labour politician expressed support for his friend, despite the financier’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The enhanced subsidies, which expanded eligibility both by lowering the percentage of household income people had to pay toward their care and removing an income cap, expired at the end of last year.—
Julie Appleby,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Russia has been seen modernizing its nuclear facilities, and in recent years, China has expanded its main test site by digging new tunnels.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And the stakes were extremely high.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Under the bill, school districts can apply for reimbursement for any high-needs student for costs beyond $30,000 per student, with a maximum reimbursement of up to $100,000 per student.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The crypto industry, for example, entered 2022 brimming with hope, as the pandemic helped spark a surge in trading from people stuck at home, leading to a frenzy that boosted all kinds of speculative investments, from cryptocurrencies to digital tokens called NFTs.—
Rafael Nam,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But the Italian kept gaining ground and, perhaps boosted by the loud support from her countrymen in the seats, surged on the final lap, arms swinging behind her.—
Howard Fendrich,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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