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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 Before this escalates any further, examine their actual histories. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The talks come as both sides continue to escalate aerial attacks. — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026 Why Iran may escalate Meanwhile, in Iran, an already troubled economy is facing major challenges. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 This union of fossil energy and physical resources is consummated in those regions building infrastructure for private mobility, which rapidly escalated after the Second World War. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 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 incidence of colorectal cancer in particular has increased among younger people in recent years, other studies have found.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Fall travel is increasing even to destinations in Asia, where the window between September and November is already the peak season.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Know More The accelerating pace of extreme weather has made snowfall on Vail’s properties less predictable.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • To do this, a ramjet has to be accelerated by a separate rocket engine or the equivalent.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing.
    — JEAN-YVES KAMALE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Since late July, diesel prices have been rising higher and faster overall than the cost of regular unleaded gas.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • In the 1980s some politicians and activists expanded their definitions to include Asian and African groups.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Data center demand meets nuclear power The agreement comes as Google expands its Finnish infrastructure, including its data center in Hamina.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The ink came from the buds of oak leaves, swollen to the size of musket balls by the eggs of wasps.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • From book clubs to run clubs and a swelling calendar of brand events, online communities are spilling into physical spaces — and then returning to Instagram to document them.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Fashion, after all, has the power to augment the public’s perception of a public figure.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Bathed in the shifting light from the screen, the orchestra’s movements and playing functioned like a second drama unfolding onstage, augmenting and mirroring the original film.
    — Caitlin White, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Investing in infrastructure to boost revenue streams is wise, particularly at a club with no shareholders to act as benefactors.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Avio is looking to boost the pace of Vega-C rocket flights to six missions per year, roughly double the current level, and potentially go another 50 percent higher, Aviation Week reports.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of boost
Verb
  • The volume of the excellent eclectic soundtrack raises the energy level even higher.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The suit says La Strada twice raised concerns with Hoskins, but his Capitol security badge then was deactivated before a hearing in the case and he was fired effective May 1.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of raise

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erupts
escalate
escalated
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Cite this Entry

“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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