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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
Listen to this article 3 min The feud between Zach Bryan and singer-songwriter John Moreland has escalated.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
After clashing Jewish and Palestinian national movements escalated into the first Arab-Israeli war upon the collapse of the United Kingdom's colonial holding, Egypt established effective control over the 141-square-mile Mediterranean territory that would become known as the Gaza Strip.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
But the demands of owning a WNBA team have escalated rapidly as the league goes through a period of unprecedented growth.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
But Below Deck Down Under has been stuck in a bad cycle all season, where a problem will emerge, escalate, and repeat itself to the point of boredom.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025
After clashing Jewish and Palestinian national movements escalated into the first Arab-Israeli war upon the collapse of the United Kingdom's colonial holding, Egypt established effective control over the 141-square-mile Mediterranean territory that would become known as the Gaza Strip.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
But the demands of owning a WNBA team have escalated rapidly as the league goes through a period of unprecedented growth.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
But Below Deck Down Under has been stuck in a bad cycle all season, where a problem will emerge, escalate, and repeat itself to the point of boredom.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Net income increased almost thirteenfold last year to $192.4 million from $15.3 million in 2023.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Currently, a shift in technology and user behavior might accelerate the conclusion of the agreement.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Witnesses told police the SUV appeared to accelerate directly at the family.—
Bethany Brown,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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If sea levels continue to rise, urban areas may have to consider taking drastic action to prevent flooding and other disruption to city life.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
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Strong floral aromatics as well as aromas of marshmallows, candy cane, Tunisian rose and buttered toast in this wine with 12.8 percent alcohol.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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On a year-on-year basis, however, Japan's GDP expanded 1.7%, the largest expansion since the first quarter of 2023 and a stronger showing compared to the 1.3% growth seen in the fourth quarter.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
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This year, that influence expanded into the cultural mainstream with her debut on Season 7 of The Real Housewives of Miami.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
Verb
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With just roughly 20,000 year-rounders, the island’s population swells in the summer.—
Lee Cobaj,
Robb Report,
1 May 2025
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Curcumin is used as a supplement and may help with arthritis, swelling, inflammation, and more.—
Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Automate Administrative Tasks Generative AI can help augment your human capital efforts by taking over routine tasks.—
Heather Peters,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2025
Verb
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At the same time, customer acquisition costs are climbing, lifetime value is shrinking and the competitive landscape is intensifying.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Since then, Israel has announced a plan to intensify its war on Gaza.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
9 May 2025
Verb
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But experts warn that unless Americans start planning for longer lives now—incorporating realistic longevity assumptions, controlling debt, and boosting retirement savings—the growing population of centenarians may be financially worse off than ever.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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The artificial intelligence boom should boost shares of Super Micro Computer , according to Raymond James.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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