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
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
Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Officials said an argument between the men escalated to a fight.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
While the decision by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is not legally binding, experts say that, if the case is further escalated, a court will be required to consider the Institute’s findings.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite these real dangers, our law enforcement shows incredible restraint in exhausting all options before force is escalated.
—James Hill, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
But when the Hollywood actor Jennifer Garner was photographed holding a book in New York, things took a turn and their sales escalated.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
His original announcement on October 13 stated his contract was simply not being renewed, but this new report confirms the non-renewal has been escalated to an early termination.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
The incident in question began with an argument that escalated when Williams allegedly threw a plate of chicken at her.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
In the following weeks, however, the bizarre experiences escalated, and so did their outreach, including to the police, who were stumped too.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
But things escalated when Jaramillo and a man involved in the crash, identified Saturday as Steven David Rustrian, 21, got into a fight that ended with Jaramillo being shot dead.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Officials said an argument between the men escalated to a fight.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
While the decision by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is not legally binding, experts say that, if the case is further escalated, a court will be required to consider the Institute’s findings.
—Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite these real dangers, our law enforcement shows incredible restraint in exhausting all options before force is escalated.
—James Hill, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025
But when the Hollywood actor Jennifer Garner was photographed holding a book in New York, things took a turn and their sales escalated.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
His original announcement on October 13 stated his contract was simply not being renewed, but this new report confirms the non-renewal has been escalated to an early termination.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
The incident in question began with an argument that escalated when Williams allegedly threw a plate of chicken at her.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
In the following weeks, however, the bizarre experiences escalated, and so did their outreach, including to the police, who were stumped too.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
But in the early 2000s, Women’s Health Initiative studies found an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease and stroke in some women taking hormone therapy.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Among those who’d be worried by its increased dominance?—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Taking a glance at global markets overnight, Asia-Pacific markets rose, tracking Wall Street gains after AMD’s third-quarter earnings beat lifted artificial intelligence stocks.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The figure rose to a record high of 55 percent in 2022 and 2023.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
To address these gaps, the researchers recommend accelerated stability testing based on International Electrotechnical Commission standards.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The Clockwork manicure was not as comprehensive as what 10Beauty looks to deliver, though absorbing the company’s data has accelerated 10Beauty’s own device and helped the company better understand what will and won’t work in autonomous services.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Kirkpatrick informed the Kowalskis that those suffering from CRPS often show elevated levels of glutamate, an amino acid, which can be inhibited by ketamine infusions.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Waves along the Bay Area coast swelled higher than normal, and king tides continued to push coastal waters higher onto the shore than normal Thursday.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sherrill will inherit a state budget that swelled under Murphy, who delivered on promises to fund the public worker pension fund and a K-12 school aid formula after years of neglect under previous governors, by high income taxes on the wealthy.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One Beijing site, which expanded by nearly 50% since 2020, is involved in the production of the vaunted DF-26 medium-range ballistic missile, according to the China Aerospace Studies Institute.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Since then, Butterfly World expanded to include two aviaries for tropical birds and an interactive lorikeet encounter area.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In Cincinnati, at least 10 doctors have received over $1 million in industry payments, according to an Enquirer investigation, with Archdeacon and Sagi being fifth and seventh highest paid on the list, respectively.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Friedrichsen, a Wake Forest transfer, was among the trio of Wildcats in double figures, connecting on three triples and dealing a team-high three assists in the win.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This year, organizers had an onsite medical staff boosted by a nursing station sponsored by Cheer Home Care.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For the air traffic controllers at work, deliveries of food and coffee from flight attendants and a pilot association boosted morale this week.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share