escalated 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

escalated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of escalate
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalated
Verb
More Tensions in Tigray have escalated for months with clashes and airstrikes. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2026 And the World Health Organization says nearly 700 people have been killed in Yemen since fighting escalated last month. — Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026 Public outrage over the allegations in the lawsuit escalated over the weekend, culminating in the district attorney’s statement announcing the case would be reopened and sent to a grand jury. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026 Police said Roderick Randall, the suspect, and another man argued before the confrontation escalated into gunfire. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 After the birthday party attendees gathered at the park, another group arrived and an argument between the two groups escalated into gunfire, Davis told reporters at a news conference. — Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 When the system is uncertain, the case can be escalated rather than forcing a binary conclusion. — Arpan Saxena, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 In addition to the baby goldfinches cheep-cheeping all the time at my house, our hummingbirds have escalated their season-long territorial battle to dramatic and violent heights. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The two had met by chance at a restaurant in New Jersey and things escalated from there. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
  • Although the majority of studies showed this effect, Yendamuri noted that some did not identify a relationship – and a couple of studies even showed an increased risk of some specific cancers, such as thyroid cancer.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Treasury Department said the increased size of buybacks aims to provide support and help bond markets function smoothly.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The water level rose and fell daily, the cycles gradually shifting over the course of the month.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The father-daughter pair embraced as Verlander started to cry, and the crowd quickly rose to their feet for a standing ovation.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The key difference is that an HGV is accelerated by a rocket before gliding toward its target, while an HCM uses an air-breathing engine to sustain hypersonic flight.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The cancer is characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells, according to the foundation.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Diesel prices could remain elevated for a year, according to a new survey of oil and gas executives.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That could bring some elevated humidity and a small chance of thunderstorms and cloud coverage in mountainous areas, but not enough to significantly lower temperatures across the region.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Further east, in the coastal province of Rayong abutting a major industrial belt, authorities ordered evacuations on Monday after flood waters swelled two reservoirs beyond their capacity.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In 2023, one of the wettest years in decades, the San Joaquin swelled to four miles wide at the site.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Since opening in 2014, Abraco Campeao, or Embrace Champions, has expanded into teaching boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and capoeira, and providing educational talks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Towed behind a vehicle and expanded on-site, the tiny cabin can also be extended with additional modules to provide more space and accommodate more people.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The Mechanics In both cases, regulators allege the fund advisers marketed themselves as having access to stakes in high profile private companies.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In March 2025, Moncler Grenoble traveled to Courchevel, the French Alps ski resort located in the Tarentaise Valley, and the show was staged amid a blizzard at the Courchevel Altiport, Europe’s highest airport at 6,588 feet.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The company, which operates ImmoScout24 in the German and Austrian housing markets, is expected to see strong growth in private subscribers, which account for around 20% of total revenue, boosted by new products such as deposit guarantees.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The group also recently boosted its spending in Senate races in Ohio and Iowa.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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