ESCALATES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of escalate

as in increases

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

as in accelerates

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

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 escalates And if the war escalates further, there will be fewer buffers available to stave off another big spike. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 July 2026 As the siege escalates, loyalties are tested and selfless sacrifices are made, leading to a desperate fight for survival where not everyone will emerge alive. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 July 2026 What begins with Steve’s desperate efforts to keep both women in his life soon escalates into a bitter war. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 Ukraine on the agenda Allies are considering a financial commitment to Ukraine, sources told ABC News, as Russia escalates its war there and Kyiv manages to launch successful attacks inside Russia. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 7 July 2026 This escalates into a dragon chase and Aemond’s giant, ancient beast is overcome with bloodlust, killing Luke and his dragon much to the dismay of Aemond One-Eye. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The woman is seen pouring what appears to be hot sauce over Martinez's food before the confrontation quickly escalates. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 25 June 2026 The format escalates through semi-finals and a final scheduled for June 25, intensifying constraints to simulate high-pressure competitive conditions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026 Knowing the warning signs and acting before heat stress escalates is, at this point, a basic survival skill for summer. — Allison Palmer updated June 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates

Verb

Near Streets In urban environments, planting along high-traffic streets increases the concentrations of pollutants from car exhaust that can contaminate the fruit.

— Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Having the flexibility to work part time or adjust hours is one factor that almost certainly increases the share of women in the labor force in Nordic countries.

— Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
As cyber insecurity rises and trust declines, protecting brand perception becomes a critical, measurable part of managing operational risk.

— Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

Drivers who stop or park in Sacramento bike lanes could now face a steeper fine as the city expands its use of artificial intelligence to enforce parking rules.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Production expands beyond laboratory scale The researchers have also made progress in manufacturing the material in larger quantities, an important step toward commercial deployment.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Conditions will deteriorate further by midweek as northwest swells increase, the Weather Service said.

— Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Coastal flooding also will remain a threat through the early part of the week, as king tides continue to pound the Bay Area coast, and the Pacific Ocean swells stay high because of storm activity in the Southern Hemisphere.

— Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Definition of swells

Verb

Dove’s Scalp and Hair Therapy Density Boost Serum is a $10 scalp serum that boosts hair density and growth while targeting scalp irritation, itchiness, and flaking.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 July 2026
Her post received 22,000 likes, and Elon Musk—who regularly boosts white-supremacist perspectives—and Joe Rogan have made similar claims about the group being a false-flag operation.

— Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Definition of boosts

Verb

Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.

— Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026
The core group now augments itself with the bass clarinetist Madison Greenstone, trombonist Weston Olencki, and, for the first time in the band’s history, vocals.

— Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

Definition of augments

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“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of escalates

verb

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