escalate

verb

ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce escalate (audio)
Definition of escalatenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalate As the siege escalates, loyalties are tested and selfless sacrifices are made, leading to a desperate fight for survival where not everyone will emerge alive. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 July 2026 The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord. — News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026 Advertisement However, Demertzis is skeptical the dispute would even escalate that far. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026 Hotels competing to out-spectacle each other Host city hotels are engaged in an escalating luxury arms race. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
  1. increase
  2. accelerate
  3. rise
  4. expand
  5. swell
  6. augment
  7. boost
  8. raise
Verb
  • The legislation reflects the complexity of the crisis, combining a total of 47 proposals aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing costs and expanding access to affordable homes.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • On average, Google says this new data should increase your backup size by 40 MB.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • China’s mastery of rocket reuse would significantly expand the country’s launch capacity, accelerating its ability to close the gap.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
  • If the industry can prove that agent payments are bounded by clear permissions, easy audit trails, reliable dispute resolution, and obvious liability frameworks, adoption could accelerate quickly.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Officials said the warning systems built since last year’s catastrophic floods were activated in Kerr County in the early hours before water levels began to rise, allowing for people to react quickly to flooding threats.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • On linear television, the series is up +62% among adults 18-49, +26% among adults 25-54 and +30% in total viewers, with P2+ viewing across VOD platforms rising +44% within seven days of airing.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • The legislation reflects the complexity of the crisis, combining a total of 47 proposals aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing costs and expanding access to affordable homes.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Air Force partnership expands The award extends Asylon’s collaboration with the Air Force beyond autonomous security operations, an area where its robotic platforms already support active missions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • As the market continues to swell, and the clinical category starts to get a little crowded, Neutrogena knows the race to be the first to new ingredients is essential in maintaining its heritage as a leading brand.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
  • His eyes had bags under them, and his face was swollen from training for the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
    — Max Marshall, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Johnny Moreno’s video and projection design artfully augments the production’s imaginative world.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Washington’s dress was further augmented with more gold elements, including her Jimmy Choo metallic gold pumps.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
Definition of augment
Verb
  • At the event, Chinese tech heavyweight Huawei showcased its Atlas 950 SuperPoD supernode, which is designed to link multiple chips together to boost computing power.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • The question comes after a Wall Street Journal report last week saying that Netflix executives were considering adding in live channels that continuously stream one program or certain genres, in an effort to boost viewer engagement.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Definition of boost
Verb
  • Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The Digital Realty proposal is the first project vying to get an exemption from Atlanta’s ban, raising questions about balancing urban land use and digital infrastructure.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of raise

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escalate
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Cite this Entry

“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of escalate for Spanish Speakers

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