1
as in to increase
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 to accelerate
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 escalate
The company, a spin-off from the University of Oxford, has been working on optical computing with a clear mission to meet escalating demand for computing with AI’s surge.
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Use-of-force incidents escalate instead of de-escalate.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The confrontation escalated into a physical struggle when the officer moved to take the man into custody.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Tonight, April 30, a high-speed stream of solar wind may escalate geomagnetic activity, resulting in auroras as far south as Illinois.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Use-of-force incidents escalate instead of de-escalate.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The confrontation escalated into a physical struggle when the officer moved to take the man into custody.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
Tonight, April 30, a high-speed stream of solar wind may escalate geomagnetic activity, resulting in auroras as far south as Illinois.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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This sprawling, unchecked population growth just increases water demand.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the climate crisis accelerates and urban populations boom, wildfires across the world are becoming larger, burning hotter, and harder to tackle, experts told CNN.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Something else must be accelerating these particles, but scientists don’t yet know what.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But they are expected to rise with tightening supplies of fuel and fertilizer.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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To address rising demand of lithium The USGS projects that global production capacity will double by 2029 to address rising demand from technology companies.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Moon moves through your 9th House of Perspective, expanding how your ideas are received.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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At Fremantle, Katrosar built and expanded a global advertising business across streaming, broadcast, social and branded partnerships.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Veneers and crowns can cause temporary sensitivity or mild discomfort, while implants may lead to swelling and soreness in the first few days.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy's ability to spot and track other ships.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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These watercraft are meant to augment the Navy’s ability to spot and track other ships.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Denver officials want to boost the city’s boogie businesses.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Member associations had appealed to soccer’s governing body to raise prize money because of cost concerns.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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That duplication has raised concerns about staff consolidations and widespread newsroom layoffs.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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