Synonyms of escalate

escalate

verb

ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 

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

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• intensify
• climb
• multiply
• proliferate
• accumulate
• spread
• roll up
• wax
• mount
• gain
• enlarge
• appreciate
• boom
• snowball
• surge
• build up
• heighten
• jump
• balloon
• burgeon
• skyrocket
• mushroom
• rocket
• redouble
• inflate
• peak
• bulk
• puff (up)
• distend
• blow up
• crescendo
• crest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• recede
• lessen
• contract
• dwindle
• wane

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

• increase
• accelerate
• expand
• augment
• boost
• raise
• multiply
• extend
• intensify
• enhance
• add (to)
• amplify
• reinforce
• swell
• stoke
• maximize
• enlarge
• strengthen
• aggrandize
• build up
• pump up
• compound
• up
• skyrocket
• heighten
• supersize
• hype
• develop
• jump
• prolong
• spike
• inflate
• supplement
• lengthen
• draw out
• protract
• bump (up)
• flesh (out)
• boom
• dilate
• complement
• distend
• elongate
• stretch
• blow up
• accumulate
• magnify
• ratchet (up)
• rachet (up)
• beef (up)
• collect
• amass
• follow up
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• abate
• dwindle
• lower
• subtract (from)
• curtail
• downsize
• shorten
• de-escalate
• abridge
• abbreviate
• minify
• contract
• compress
• constrict
• condense
• cut back
• retrench

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of escalate

That information can then trigger a workflow that assigns the appropriate specialist, sets a deadline, monitors progress and escalates the issue when an exception occurs. — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Maryna Lystopad, 35, said her hair has started falling out due to the stress from escalating attacks and never knowing where the next attack will hit. — Susie Blann, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

The architectural design guidance starts with simple hooks but escalates to slim racks sized for pot lids, foil boxes and plastic wrap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

As for Canada, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu spent his time huddling with other counterparts, since a different official is spearheading negotiations with Greer amid the countries’ escalating trade war. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026