Synonyms and Antonyms of escalate
1
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number - The war between the two countries escalated.
accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge
heighten, intensify, redouble
blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up)
crescendo, crest, peak
2
to make greater in size, amount, or number - The president promised to escalate the government's program to combat the dreaded disease.
accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, build up, compound, enlarge, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, supersize, swell, up
boom, jump, skyrocket, spike
bump (up), ratchet (up) also
rachet (up)
blow up, dilate, distend, inflate
draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch
develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify
complement, supplement
beef (up), reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen
maximize
accumulate, amass, collect
follow up, parlay
abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
