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
All staff and guests of the Grand Canyon Lodge were successfully evacuated before the fire escalated.
—
Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 July 2025
Top Trump administration officials have escalated their criticisms of Powell in recent days, in particular by targeting the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion renovation project, which Hassett said has gone over budget by $700 million.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 13 July 2025
As the back-and-forth escalated, WWE legend Randy Orton made a surprise entrance, stepping in to defend Jelly.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 July 2025
Its price-to-sales ratio has escalated to 3x, rising from 1.2x in FY 2022.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 July 2025
Top Trump administration officials have escalated their criticisms of Powell in recent days, in particular by targeting the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion renovation project, which Hassett said has gone over budget by $700 million.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 13 July 2025
As the back-and-forth escalated, WWE legend Randy Orton made a surprise entrance, stepping in to defend Jelly.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 July 2025
Its price-to-sales ratio has escalated to 3x, rising from 1.2x in FY 2022.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Over the past year or so, those activities have increased.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
-
The Reserve Bank of India has increased its gold holdings by 35% in the last five years, according to Solomon Global.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Whether through the Deloitte Global FoF framework or others, leaders can benefit from taking a structured approach to investing in smart operations and to accelerating the convergence of IT and OT.—
John England,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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The measure also guts investment in clean energy at a moment when climate disruption is not only real but also accelerating.—
Thomas Kahn,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Success for any one of the players, as well as the end-users, constitutes a rising tide for industrial autonomy.—
Richard Bishop,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Mari said the strike has now expanded to include Teamsters in California and Washington state, and that upwards of 4,000 union members are now in the midst of a work stoppage.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
14 July 2025
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Although the company is actively adapting—expanding into energy storage, changing billing models, and tweaking its supply chain—investors continue to be concerned about the pace and effectiveness of these strategic adjustments.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Oral allergy symptoms include swelling and itching around your mouth, tongue, lips, throat and entire face.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
13 July 2025
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He was received graciously, and the volunteers mustered a crew to add his donations to the swelling stock of supplies.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Choose solutions that augment human intelligence—leveraging AI, behavioral science and automation to unlock capacity, not just cut costs.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
14 July 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 July 2025
Verb
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But as the strikes intensified, targeting infrastructure and killing ordinary citizens, many Iranians began to conclude that the attacks were not merely a war against the regime but a war against the nation itself.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
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Recent layoff announcements have only intensified these concerns.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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But sometimes the simplest, easiest and most lucrative option is staying put and figuring out strategies right in front of your eyes that can save you the stress of job hopping and boost your annual salary to boot.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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The expansion would boost cargo-handling capacity by 50% and create jobs, the company said at a ground breaking ceremony Friday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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