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
Their beef escalated this week when Matthews posted a TikTok seemingly throwing shade at Paul, and all hell broke loose. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 That initiative has escalated in recent weeks as November's Election Day draws closer. Benjamin Swasey, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 Their public feud escalated in 2024 after Musk discussed Wilson's transition during an interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson. Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 Ties have improved since border tensions escalated in 2020, but China remains India’s largest strategic rival. ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026 But when the bear charged at a deputy, authorities said the situation escalated quickly. Andrew Gutierrez, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Houthi attacks have again escalated this week, including targeting critical Saudi oil pipelines. Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026 The first shooting occurred early Sunday near Denny Way and Clay Street, where a fight following a street takeover escalated into gunfire, killing a 20-year-old man and injuring two others, FOX 13 Seattle reported. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 The legal fight over eligibility rules that has engulfed college sports escalated Thursday when the SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU in Alabama to counter the anticipated ruling for the players in Louisiana. Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
  • 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
  • That means the study can’t show whether consuming more xylitol itself drove the increased risk.
    Lauren Manaker MS, HEALTH, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Focused on creating an immersive experience that starts upon arrival, Diaz enlisted a scent designer to create Disco Lace, a signature scent for Bar Leone that is a blend of lavender, rose and enoki.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Median pay for chief technology officers rose $809,587 from 2021 to 2025 while median pay for CEOs—typically the C-suite leader most likely to reap massive pay rewards—only rose $698,399.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The rocket’s second stage ignited a single Aquila engine and accelerated to orbital velocity—some 5 miles per second—about seven minutes into the flight.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The July hack by rogue OpenAI autonomous agents on open-source developer platform Hugging Face accelerated the shift and proved that the era of advanced AI hacks had arrived.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • No visit to Lithfield is complete without a visit to The White Memorial Conservation Center, and in particular, the Little Pond Boardwalk, an elevated walkway that allows visitors to experience the wetland environment.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Furnace monitoring and high-temperature measurement systems, for example, require optical windows that can maintain their performance while allowing sensors or cameras to observe processes taking place at elevated temperatures.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • His fortune has also swelled thanks to gains from his private investment firm DFO Management—which manages his wealth and capital—and invests in public stocks, private companies, real estate, and liquid corporate credit.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Spurred by Barnett’s defiant message and federal officers’ arrival to escort Meredith, a mob of some 2,000 swelled by morning.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • More Great Living Stories From Vogue The Vogue Runway app has expanded!
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The survey found that voters favored a generic Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican 46% to 40%, but the Democratic advantage expanded to 11 points among those who definitely plan to vote.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Fed policymakers unanimously supported the rate hike, compared with late July when the central bank kept rates steady and three officials dissented in favor of higher rates.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Set the Scene While Belden House is set back some from the busy village center, this is very much a high-street, center-of-town hotel.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While the networks were boosted by the introduction of Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel currency last fall, the artificial lift provided by the upgrade to the ratings methodology was a one-shot deal.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Poland hardens its border Poland has also boosted its military preparedness.
    Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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