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
Relevance
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
The situation escalated on February 9, when Cuban aviation officials announced the nation was running out of jet fuel.
—
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
According to the source, the ODNI oversaw daily coordination calls across agencies as the situation escalated.
—Efrat Lachter , Trey Yingst, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
However, aid workers are concerned about escalating violence.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
In an already volatile political moment, this crackdown on student protests has — once again — escalated a debate over free speech in public schools.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
According to the source, the ODNI oversaw daily coordination calls across agencies as the situation escalated.
—Efrat Lachter , Trey Yingst, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
However, aid workers are concerned about escalating violence.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
In an already volatile political moment, this crackdown on student protests has — once again — escalated a debate over free speech in public schools.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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The concern is not only the surge in killings, but the increasing brazenness with which they are carried out.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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For example, rising temperatures have direct harms on health by increasing risk of dehydration and causing more stress on the heart.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The event saw several European leaders and policymakers reiterate the need for greater defense spending to accelerate the continent's strategic autonomy, with discussions of a common nuclear shield.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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Its members are pushing legislation to accelerate encampment sweeps and eliminate a longstanding local requirement that the city offer shelter to residents when forcing them to move.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After finishing third in the short program, Liu rose to the top of the medal podium while skating freely, ebulliently, inured to any pressure, performing with technical precision and bright artistry.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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At some point, likely within the next two billion years, those temperatures will rise so high that our oceans will boil away; shortly after that, it’s expected that life on our planet will go completely extinct.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Integrating unmanned logistics The Army continues to expand its use of unmanned systems across air and ground domains.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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However, according to a draft of its charter, its mission has since expanded to address conflicts worldwide.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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JPMorgan sees shares of AeroVironment rising as demand for drones and space capabilities swell.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
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The League of Nations is struggling for legitimacy as Germany and Japan withdraw, driven by swelling imperial ambitions.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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HoloRadar augments the safety of autonomous robots by complementing existing sensors rather than replacing them.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Breaking roles into micro-tasks allows organizations to see where automation can remove friction, where AI can augment human judgment, and where human contribution remains essential.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Fortune,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some current central bankers — such as Fed governors Christopher Waller and Lisa Cook, in addition to Powell himself — have concluded AI has the potential to significantly boost productivity.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Davis said that many online commenters seemed to object both to tipping and service charges, even as restaurateurs struggle to raise menu prices to keep pace with the soaring costs of food and rent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Murder-for-hire theories have been raised.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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