1
as in to increase
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 to accelerate
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
But Tchervinski, who is White, also was seen in a cellphone video appearing to slap a Black man in the face during a confrontation in the street, which escalated into a physical fight.
—
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the abuse escalated when the girl was 14.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Notably, though, SG&A expenses escalated 13 percent, but Urban was also able to obtain a 20 percent increase in operating income, reaching $174 million.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Dealing with the horrors of the situation in Gaza within the sterile environment of a call center, its workers are feeling increasingly hopeless, caught in the political crossfire of an escalating situation.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the abuse escalated when the girl was 14.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Notably, though, SG&A expenses escalated 13 percent, but Urban was also able to obtain a 20 percent increase in operating income, reaching $174 million.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Dealing with the horrors of the situation in Gaza within the sterile environment of a call center, its workers are feeling increasingly hopeless, caught in the political crossfire of an escalating situation.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Stimulated mitochondria generate more ATP, while improved circulation increases blood flow and oxygenation.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Protests have also broken out due to ICE checkpoints popping up around the city and the police increasing curfew zones for minors.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Set in early-1960s New York City, the film follows a folk song singing Minnesotan with a guitar and a dream, rising from a coffeehouse performer to a counterculture legend.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tournament expanded from 24 teams to 32 at the start of the 1999-2000 season, with a second group stage then played before being replaced with the round of 16 in 2003-04.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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This shift is reinforced by Russia’s push to expand its eastward infrastructure through the Power of Siberia pipelines cementing a more permanent divide in global energy markets.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During livestreams of Timmer’s tornado chases, large audiences swell and follow along in the hunt from the safety of home.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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These reports became a short story and then swelled to something else.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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That product was built from the ground up around AI and was possible only because of AI, as opposed to augmenting an existing product with AI.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
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Magnet programs and schools were a way to promote voluntary integration, though locally the magnet system has intensified the city's racial and economic divide, a previous Courier Journal investigation found.—
Krista Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This powder comes in a few delicious flavors—unflavored, strawberry lemon, vanilla, and chocolate—and is packed with vitamin C, which can support collagen synthesis to further boost effectiveness, according to Fazio.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Sep. 2025
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The inability, or decision not, to sell players who would have boosted the club’s spending power is a subjective call made by United’s key decision-makers that will never sit right with some supporters.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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