1
as in increasing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerating
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 escalating
Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
After bagels and coffee were served, the participants began sharing feelings that many had been afraid to articulate—including discomfort with narratives that cast Israel solely as a victim, and shame about the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Nestlé’s decision to publicize the incident was deliberate, intended not just to aid in recovering its own products but to shine a light on what the company called an escalating problem affecting businesses of all sizes across Europe.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The war is widening, not winding down Meanwhile, all signs point to the war escalating on multiple fronts.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Other experts have previously expressed similar concerns to Jones amid the escalating regional violence.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The war is escalating, casualties are rising, and public support is eroding.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The Wizards played without forward Justin Champagnie, who was suspended one game by the NBA for fighting and escalating an on-court altercation that spilled into the seating area during a loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump has expressed reluctance to strike Iranian oil infrastructure for risk of escalating the war and sending gas prices at home surging even higher.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
After bagels and coffee were served, the participants began sharing feelings that many had been afraid to articulate—including discomfort with narratives that cast Israel solely as a victim, and shame about the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Nestlé’s decision to publicize the incident was deliberate, intended not just to aid in recovering its own products but to shine a light on what the company called an escalating problem affecting businesses of all sizes across Europe.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
The war is widening, not winding down Meanwhile, all signs point to the war escalating on multiple fronts.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Other experts have previously expressed similar concerns to Jones amid the escalating regional violence.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The war is escalating, casualties are rising, and public support is eroding.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The Wizards played without forward Justin Champagnie, who was suspended one game by the NBA for fighting and escalating an on-court altercation that spilled into the seating area during a loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
—CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Trump has expressed reluctance to strike Iranian oil infrastructure for risk of escalating the war and sending gas prices at home surging even higher.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
-
The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly to fossil fuel supply disruptions of the past, the Iran conflict is already accelerating interest in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy independence.—
Brian Lee,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These dynamics are accelerating structural change across the sector.—
Assef Shaikh,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Years later, in Austria’s Salzburg, a now late teen Wolfgang Mozart performs a piece which is one part period piano, another part glam rock with a swelling modern orchestra, a powerful Freddie Mercury-esque choir and Mozart slamming his piano.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
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The victim, a 31-year-old man, had visible facial injuries, including scrapes, lacerations and swelling, and injuries indicative of being dragged on pavement, police wrote.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement that the relocation will improve the Forest Service's mission of managing its forests, saving taxpayers' money and boosting employee recruitment.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Investors and CEOs fantasize about slashing costs and boosting margins; every CIO is pushed to come up with an AI plan, to keep up with competitors.—
Gary Marcus,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has said that augmenting the trenches is a priority.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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This is all about augmenting its oncology portfolio ahead of top-selling cancer drug Keytruda losing its patent protection in 2028.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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