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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
The policy change comes amid escalating anti-China rhetoric and growing competition for dominance in space.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Electronic warfare systems used by both sides to take drones off course and an escalating air war may increase the danger of direct military engagement between Russia and NATO, ACLED senior analyst Nichita Gurcov said.
—Brendan Cole
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The trailer transitions to black and white footage, with a crew member getting involved to break up the escalating fight.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Besides, the escalating tension between Laura and Cherry shifts into a much more compelling register.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Electronic warfare systems used by both sides to take drones off course and an escalating air war may increase the danger of direct military engagement between Russia and NATO, ACLED senior analyst Nichita Gurcov said.
—Brendan Cole
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The trailer transitions to black and white footage, with a crew member getting involved to break up the escalating fight.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Besides, the escalating tension between Laura and Cherry shifts into a much more compelling register.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rallied 1% after data showed accelerating growth in earnings for Japanese workers.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Google and Meta on Friday announced new partnerships with Reliance Industries as the Indian conglomerate seeks to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Set in early-1960s New York City, the film follows a folk song singing Minnesotan with a guitar and a dream, rising from a coffeehouse performer to a counterculture legend.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Gabby Provenzano rose at the near post and powered home a header from point-blank range in the 81st minute, assisted by Sabrina McNeill’s cross off a corner.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Unrivaled Experiences Growth Spurt Unrivaled will expand ahead of its second season with the addition of two new clubs and a development player pool, the league announced Wednesday.—
Roberta F. Rodrigues,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The panel issued over 100 recommendations, from limiting cash bail for misdemeanors to expanding racial equity training for prosecutors.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During livestreams of Timmer’s tornado chases, large audiences swell and follow along in the hunt from the safety of home.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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These reports became a short story and then swelled to something else.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Posen said there will be a series of drops over time to augment the collection.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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That product was built from the ground up around AI and was possible only because of AI, as opposed to augmenting an existing product with AI.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The interview came as federal investigators intensified their search for Kirk's killer.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This powder comes in a few delicious flavors—unflavored, strawberry lemon, vanilla, and chocolate—and is packed with vitamin C, which can support collagen synthesis to further boost effectiveness, according to Fazio.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
6 Sep. 2025
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The inability, or decision not, to sell players who would have boosted the club’s spending power is a subjective call made by United’s key decision-makers that will never sit right with some supporters.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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