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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
The jail altercation has since escalated into a wider conflict between the Sheriff’s Office and the Broward State Attorney’s Office.
—
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The dispute escalated on their respective platforms—X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social—with Musk suggesting Trump's name appeared in the unreleased Epstein files, further intensifying the conflict.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Amid an escalating feud between billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, Musk threatened to decommission the Dragon spacecraft.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Tesla stock is up this morning after tumbling 14% yesterday as the war of words escalated.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
The dispute escalated on their respective platforms—X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social—with Musk suggesting Trump's name appeared in the unreleased Epstein files, further intensifying the conflict.
—Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Amid an escalating feud between billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, Musk threatened to decommission the Dragon spacecraft.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Tesla stock is up this morning after tumbling 14% yesterday as the war of words escalated.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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The company said an indicator light on the vehicle fails to light up and warn drivers of a traction control system or dynamic stability control system issue, increasing the likelihood of them crashing.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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Whether that caution slows adoption or increases security maturity remains to be seen, but the message is unambiguous: the era of unchecked AI optimism in federal cybersecurity is over.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Iran’s nuclear program accelerated after the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear agreement which halted international inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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The state both increased funding for special education and accelerated by one year the commitment to fully funding the Education Cost Sharing formula, through which most state aid for local education flows.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Interestingly, this percentage rises to 64% when examining data from the last 3 years instead of 5.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Needham downgrades Apple to hold from buy Needham downgraded the stock due to rising competition and valuation.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Trump’s memo will go into the history books as a moment when presidential power expanded to put under his control a military force aimed at U.S. civilians.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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Stablecoins are often treated as satellites of U.S. monetary policy—dollar proxies that expand liquidity and shore up Treasury demand.—
Jemma Green,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Such symptoms may include: itchy mouth, swelling of the skin, especially lips and eyes, skin rash with hives, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, coughing, asthma symptoms, light headedness, passing out and more.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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Before the performance came to a close, Khalifa was overcome with emotion as his tear ducts began to swell.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Anthropic sees this as an example of how AI can augment human work, not replace it.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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The new clubhouse/pro shop is set to be approximately 10,000 square feet and feature a year-round restaurant augmented by a dining room, sports bar, event space, terrace and multi-sport simulators.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
Verb
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In response, Trump authorized thousands of National Guards to the California city, and 700 Marines arrived on Tuesday, intensifying tensions between the federal and state government.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
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This influx of graduates has significantly intensified competition at the entry level, prompting employers to consider factors beyond academic qualifications when making hiring decisions.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Rainbow berry jam Berries are filled with polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in plants that can help defend against inflammation and boost cell health.—
Michiko Tomioka,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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United is just back from its first-ever postseason tour, a six-day, two-game trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, that is expected to boost fourth-quarter results by £10 million.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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