escalated 1 of 2

adjective

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

escalated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of escalate
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The confrontation escalated into a fight that left both tourists injured. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Since Min Aung Hlaing became president, the military has sharply escalated attacks on civilians, according to ACLED, even as regional governments step up diplomatic engagement. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 That fight escalated when one of the men took out a gun and fired it. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 The president last month escalated the conflict by announcing an outright ban on nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The trade dispute escalated after negotiations between the two nations broke down in August. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 20 Oct. 2026 Widespread civil unrest over teacher shortages and economic hardship escalated across France over the weekend as rioters clashed with police and stormed public buildings. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 Businesses hit There is also public anger over claims that police lost control of the situation at the weekend as disorder and looting escalated. — Chloe Taylor,jenni Reid, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Trump escalated his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. — Alec Dent, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
  1. increased
  2. rose
  3. accelerated
  4. elevated
  5. swelled
  6. expanded
  7. high
  8. boosted
Adjective
  • Ketamine can cause a slew of other side effects, including delirium, amnesia, increased salivation, abnormal eye movements, high blood pressure and potentially fatal breathing problems.
    — Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The streamer has faced increased competition of late and slower growth.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of increased
Verb
  • During Lula's first two terms in office, from 2003 to 2010, Brazil's economy boomed, and millions of Brazilians rose out of poverty.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Was the last petal from the enchanted rose about to fall, this beauty of a season due to turn ugly?
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of rose
Verb
  • The vehicle then accelerated forward, and Foster moved directly in front of it with his gun drawn.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The focus on fraud has noticeably accelerated in the weeks leading up to the election.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of accelerated
Adjective
  • These private, elevated spaces so intrinsic to the character of the property will remain closed to the public while management seeks a practical solution.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The good news this week though is that by Friday, as the full moon begins to fade, tides will ease slowly while remaining elevated.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevated
Verb
  • The number of titles receiving airplay swelled from seven to 18, while stations playing at least one song of his increased from 72 to 94.
    — Russ Penuell, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Ongoing demonstrations over the housing shortage swelled in Spain and Portugal, where students set up tent camps in city squares.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of swelled
Verb
  • But the lead quickly expanded in the second half, thanks to a 15-0 run by Charlotte, which lasted nearly three minutes and was capped off by Allen’s three-pointer.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Development began in the 1970s, and the system became operational for military use before civilian access expanded.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of expanded
Adjective
  • It was approved by voters into the county charter in 2004 in an effort to preserve the area’s rural character and prevent high-density sprawl from stretching toward the Brevard County line.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Ben’s view About 32 million Americans take GLP-1s, a higher number than there are American Jews and Muslims combined.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of high
Verb
  • Rivian shares surged Friday after its latest results boosted optimism that the long-struggling electric-vehicle maker is headed toward better times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The state and national websites also boosted an 11th House candidate that did not have her own dedicated site purporting to be local news.
    — Huo Jingnan, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of boosted

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Cite this Entry

“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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