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
Pistons veteran Tobias Harris was holding back Diabate, when the latter threw a punch at Duren, escalating the whole situation.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
These comments are said against a backdrop of escalating violence and authoritarianism in this country that’s directly tied to out-of-control behavior by federal agents conducting immigration raids.
—Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Taiwan is looking to bolster its defenses amid escalating military threats from China.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Rising physical inactivity, especially among young people, is colliding with escalating climate and nature risks.
—Sebastian Buckup, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
The council, made up of nine members, was appointed to help restore order as Haiti faced escalating gang violence.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The assault is the latest in escalating violence across northern Nigeria, where more than 150 Christians were kidnapped from churches in January.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Similar to the current year, district officials pointed to four major inflationary budget challenges projected to cost $86 million, including escalating health insurance costs, transportation expenses, special education costs, and collective bargaining agreement increases.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
These comments are said against a backdrop of escalating violence and authoritarianism in this country that’s directly tied to out-of-control behavior by federal agents conducting immigration raids.
—Thomas Kennedy, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Taiwan is looking to bolster its defenses amid escalating military threats from China.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Rising physical inactivity, especially among young people, is colliding with escalating climate and nature risks.
—Sebastian Buckup, Time, 7 Feb. 2026
One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
The council, made up of nine members, was appointed to help restore order as Haiti faced escalating gang violence.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The assault is the latest in escalating violence across northern Nigeria, where more than 150 Christians were kidnapped from churches in January.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Similar to the current year, district officials pointed to four major inflationary budget challenges projected to cost $86 million, including escalating health insurance costs, transportation expenses, special education costs, and collective bargaining agreement increases.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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Now, decoupling supply chains are driving manufacturing growth in the West once more, electric vehicles and home heat pumps need to be plugged in, and the makers of AI’s large language models have ever-increasing power needs.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The move marks a broader trend from the brand, which has been increasing its visibility to new markets through the world of sports, and, at the moment, none is hotter than that of F1.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That could be a signal that the pace of layoffs is accelerating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet reported fantastic fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, proof that its eye-popping spending on artificial intelligence is accelerating growth across all its businesses.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Takaichi had earlier laid out a record $783 billion budget for the next fiscal year starting April 1, on top of a $135 billion stimulus package introduced last year to help households with rising living costs.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Future versions are projected to extend driving range to around 310–372 miles (500–600 kilometers), expanding suitability beyond short-range applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Bill Gates named in Epstein files Documents released from the Epstein files indicate that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's prison term to discuss expanding the Microsoft founder's philanthropic efforts.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patients should learn that swelling and bruising are most noticeable during the first few weeks.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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Software stock slide worsens on AI fears US software stocks sank further Tuesday on swelling investor fears that new AI tools will eat their lunch.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Malaysia and Singapore, where markets have reached saturation, operators focused on boosting user activity and revenue generation rather than adding subscribers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
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And boosting, not slashing, anti-hunger programs.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Preservation was part of the conversation when the two connected, but both were also focused on revitalization and augmenting the structure’s old-world charms with something fresh and modern.—
Lina Lecaro,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The nearly 14-year transit is augmenting the world and our lives.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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