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
Technology creates visibility around these potential threats, allowing companies to act before disruptions escalate.
—
Jim Euchner, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
However, that was before Trump escalated his trade war, piling on still higher tariffs with the aim of compelling manufacturers to rebase production to the United States.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
As immigration has escalated at U.S. borders and amid high-profile stories of detainments, others worry about their safety and don't want to take the risk.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Matty Crawford’s film so viscerally depicts the ‘too real’ horror of aging as an immigrant single parent contending with an escalating and overwhelming level of loneliness and discomfort.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Jim Euchner, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
However, that was before Trump escalated his trade war, piling on still higher tariffs with the aim of compelling manufacturers to rebase production to the United States.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
As immigration has escalated at U.S. borders and amid high-profile stories of detainments, others worry about their safety and don't want to take the risk.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Matty Crawford’s film so viscerally depicts the ‘too real’ horror of aging as an immigrant single parent contending with an escalating and overwhelming level of loneliness and discomfort.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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The solid job gains in April also increase the odds that the Federal Reserve will keep its benchmark interest rate steady when policy makers meet next week on May 6-7, experts say.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
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As time has passed, the cost of those renovations has increased.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In November 2024, the renowned pastor suffered a massive heart attack while delivering a sermon on stage at the church, which was a frightening moment that, according to church insiders, accelerated long-standing plans for succession.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
27 Apr. 2025
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Even then—before the rest of the world went AI-crazy—the CEO of Google DeepMind had a stark warning about the accelerating pace of AI progress.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Iconic sportswear and footwear giant Adidas said Tuesday that the price of all its products will rise in the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's tariffs.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Potential Challenges: Import costs could rise, affecting product pricing for small businesses.—
Britney Porter,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Wave has since expanded its family of petunias with brands such as Tidal Wave, Easy Wave, and Shock Wave.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2025
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And the foundation was good, and Ray had to expand on it and had to work hard.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2025
Verb
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One patient had brain swelling and developed a cyst caused by radiation.—
Frieda Klotz,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
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Almost 4 in 10 Americans said neither party is fighting for people like them, as pessimism for both major parties swells, according to a survey released Friday.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When using your own private instance of a language model, augment the information with knowledge items and prevent the model from using any external data.—
Cory McNeley,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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The Heat will enter a critical offseason with one draft pick, 12 players under contract, wiggle room under the punitive first apron and a mission to augment a roster that produced its worst record in 11 years and delivered the most dismal playoff performance in NBA history.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the pope’s funeral approached, security around the Vatican intensified.—
Alan Yuhas,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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President Trump’s recent ultimatum proposing U.S. recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea has intensified the diplomatic divide within Europe, forcing European capitals to choose between Kyiv or Washington.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Natural ways to boost metabolism can be fun and easy.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2025
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The SpaceX investment has helped boost the economy around Brownsville, which is home to about 185,000 people and among the poorer parts of Texas.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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