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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
The onset of mating season this spring has escalated tensions, with the males’ loud early morning mating calls particularly aggravating residents.
—
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The officers were conducting a routine alcohol compliance check at the store when the situation escalated.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Biogen investigated three escalating dosing regimens in its study, with the lowest dose showing the best results.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 14 May 2026
Then came the Russian invasion of Ukraine, followed by escalating clashes between Palestine and Israel.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The officers were conducting a routine alcohol compliance check at the store when the situation escalated.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Biogen investigated three escalating dosing regimens in its study, with the lowest dose showing the best results.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 14 May 2026
Then came the Russian invasion of Ukraine, followed by escalating clashes between Palestine and Israel.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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But ultimately, Ayton needs to increase his scoring at the rim, Redick said.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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His most fulfilling moment was when the fourth calf was born in the wild last year, an indication that the bongos are thriving in their native habitat and that their population will certainly increase.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The analytics group says that most Middle East cargoes loaded before the war have now been discharged, meaning the inventory drawdown will accelerate and local refining will slow.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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The figure has really accelerated since 2017, though, driven in a large part by cost—to live a better quality of life at a lower cost and to have access to affordable healthcare and housing in later years.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
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As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
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The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
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There are numerous suites in the mix that expand upon the space, and anyone booking an executive category room enjoys access to the 25th-floor club lounge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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Together, the movements reflected an apparent effort to insulate some of Iran's remaining military and aviation assets from the expanding conflict, even as officials publicly served as brokers for de-escalation.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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As the teen continued to deteriorate, his right arm began to swell two or three times more than his left, and his wound began leaking fluid.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
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During the expedition’s first ten days, the ship navigated a strong storm, with ocean swells reaching two to three metres.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Russia soon augmented its capabilities by acquiring Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 loitering munitions from Iran.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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Semafor’s journalists helped fill in the gaps by augmenting the readout with reporting that wasn’t captured in the transcript.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
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In a nonleague boys lacrosse game, Chase Dreystadt recorded a hat trick, which included his 100th career goal, to boost Bishop Feehan to a 15-1 victory over Catholic Memorial.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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Keep in mind, if your soil is already acidic, you should be set for some blue blooms–even without an acid-boosting mix-in like coffee grounds.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
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That alone, to me, raises questions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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