escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard
-skyə-
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope
… a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one …—
Mike Mansfield
Mike MansfieldExamples of escalate in a Sentence
The conflict has escalated into an all-out war.
a time of escalating tensions
We are trying not to escalate the violence.
Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.
The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
That frustration rings especially true in Colorado, where insurance premiums have been climbing thanks to escalating wildfire and weather risks, a concern the Hippo report identifies as a major pressure point across the Mountain region.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Other concerns have centered around the escalating price tag.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
The possible closure of Mexican consulates in the United States could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The focal point of escalating concern is oldest son Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) whose increasingly erratic behavior alarms those around him, not only for his safety but others as well.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
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Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Other concerns have centered around the escalating price tag.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
The possible closure of Mexican consulates in the United States could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The focal point of escalating concern is oldest son Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) whose increasingly erratic behavior alarms those around him, not only for his safety but others as well.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalate. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈes-kə-ˌlāt
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, or scope : expand
escalate prices
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