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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Recent Examples of escalated
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Prior to the shooting, videos reviewed by CNN show that tensions escalated quickly in a south Minneapolis neighborhood where a group of federal agents were conducting an operation.
—Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
This is really just trying to roll back or de-escalate what had been escalated over the past year and a bit.
—CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Plans should address who may communicate with providers, and how urgent concerns are escalated — without turning therapy into another battleground.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The officials and coaches from both sides stepped in before things escalated.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
One man is dead after an argument escalated into a shooting Sunday evening at an apartment complex in Kansas City’s East Swope Highlands neighborhood, a police spokesperson said.
—Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that attracted about 1,000 people escalated as demonstrators threw ice, snow and rocks at officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news conference Saturday.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
The situation, Peterson said, escalated rapidly, at one point sending her through the family home to cover up all of the mirrors as her child’s changing self image triggered severe reactions.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
Prior to the shooting, videos reviewed by CNN show that tensions escalated quickly in a south Minneapolis neighborhood where a group of federal agents were conducting an operation.
—Thomas Bordeaux, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
This is really just trying to roll back or de-escalate what had been escalated over the past year and a bit.
—CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Plans should address who may communicate with providers, and how urgent concerns are escalated — without turning therapy into another battleground.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The officials and coaches from both sides stepped in before things escalated.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
One man is dead after an argument escalated into a shooting Sunday evening at an apartment complex in Kansas City’s East Swope Highlands neighborhood, a police spokesperson said.
—Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Tensions escalated in Minneapolis after a fatal shooting Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
On Friday night, a protest outside a Minneapolis hotel that attracted about 1,000 people escalated as demonstrators threw ice, snow and rocks at officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a news conference Saturday.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
However, there was no increased risk of liver problems, which is often a concern with statin use.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
-
In 1905 and growing in parishioners, the existing church created the Holly street location to accommodate its increased popularity.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Eagle numbers rose significantly first in the 1990s, then continued to increase.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Alcoholic Sparkling Wines For Valentine’s Day Do Epic Sh*t sparkling wine now comes in a 'pretty in pink' rose as well, available at the end of January 2026.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The result isn’t replaced judgment, but accelerated insight.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Brussels has accelerated its outreach to markets around the world.—
Rajesh Roy,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The onset of elevated inflation alongside sluggish hiring in recent months had put the Fed in a difficult position, even before the DOJ opened a probe into Powell.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Despite incredible progress to reduce the neural tube defects, Hispanic and Latino communities still have an elevated risk of developing these defects.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Anger swelled again in August 2024 after the Detroit Free Press broke the story locally that the landfill was preparing to take 6,000 cubic yards of soil and concrete with elevated radioactivity from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in Lewiston, New York.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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But Peacock’s losses swelled to $552 million in the fourth quarter as the streaming service absorbed the expense of NBC’s NBA TV rights agreement and an exclusive NFL game.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Global capability centers and captives, particularly in India and other low-cost locations, have expanded rapidly.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In recent years, the festival has expanded its offerings to attendees, including beers from outside the country, non-alcoholic beers, ciders and even some hard liquors.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Once the company separates, Cahillane will serve as chief executive of Global Taste Elevation, the placeholder name for the spinoff with high-growth brands like Heinz and Philadelphia.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Ships have real inertia and Newtonian physics, and pilots can choose to toggle flight assistance on to help stabilize their often unpredictable craft, or off to perform mind-bending maneuvers that can be the edge between life and death in high-skill player versus player shootouts.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 2026 Golden Globes winners have boosted front-running contenders in an awards season already filled with Hollywood excellence.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But this is a Martha Stewart production boosted by the expert medical insight of a top dermatologist.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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