1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalates
The mix of joy and anxiety among the Iranian diaspora in recent days reflects the complicated emotions many feel as violence escalates in the Middle East — especially those whose families fled the theocratic regime that took power after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
—
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
The incident escalates broader tensions between the nations over Russian oil pipeline access and Hungary’s defiance of EU sanctions against Russia.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is in talks with United States Forces Korea about the possible redeployment of weapons including Patriot air-defense systems, as Washington’s conflict with Iran escalates.
—Myungshin Cho, Bloomberg, 6 Mar. 2026
After several years of higher operating costs and softer consumer demand, gas prices are climbing as the war with Iran escalates.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The proposal comes as conflict in the Middle East escalates and tensions over Taiwan persist, amid a broader rise in global geopolitical fault lines.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
The agreement to release the two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war comes as Orbán escalates an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before tough elections scheduled for next month.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The agreement to release the two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war comes as Orbán escalates an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before tough elections scheduled for next month.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Their growing popularity alarms authorities, and the case escalates from regional police to the KGB.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
The incident escalates broader tensions between the nations over Russian oil pipeline access and Hungary’s defiance of EU sanctions against Russia.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is in talks with United States Forces Korea about the possible redeployment of weapons including Patriot air-defense systems, as Washington’s conflict with Iran escalates.
—Myungshin Cho, Bloomberg, 6 Mar. 2026
After several years of higher operating costs and softer consumer demand, gas prices are climbing as the war with Iran escalates.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The proposal comes as conflict in the Middle East escalates and tensions over Taiwan persist, amid a broader rise in global geopolitical fault lines.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
The agreement to release the two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war comes as Orbán escalates an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before tough elections scheduled for next month.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The agreement to release the two ethnic Hungarian prisoners of war comes as Orbán escalates an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before tough elections scheduled for next month.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Their growing popularity alarms authorities, and the case escalates from regional police to the KGB.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
Verb
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Construction increases fire risk.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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The ability to see farther and hit faster dramatically increases the information processing burden on military organizations.—
Jon R. Lindsay,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For professionals who regularly build client decks, sales presentations, or classroom materials, PowerPresent reduces formatting time and accelerates slide production without requiring advanced design skills.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
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Trying to keep it in situ is your first port of call, making sure to wear a broad spectrum, high factor SPF every day–UV exposure accelerates collagen loss and can also exacerbate uneven texture more generally.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
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Ghana’s gold regulators introduced a new sliding‑scale royalty rate that rises in line with bullion prices, despite opposition from China, the US, and mining executives.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This year, the event expands to Denton for the first time, with an immersive exhibition of artworks projected across the outdoor spaces of Quakertown Park.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Stay true to your roots and keep that handle intact even as your remit expands to podcasting and socializing.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unlike the sleek mansions lining much of California’s shoreline, this unassuming house has always felt like something out of a fisherman’s tale—shrouded in salt spray as swells crash against the rocks below.—
Jennifer Fernandez,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cocoa Beach is Florida’s ultimate surf-and-sand playground with six miles of golden sand, Atlantic swells for every skill level, and rocket launches visible on the horizon.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Increasing plant foods at meals naturally boosts intake of fiber, vitamins and minerals.—
LeeAnn Weintraub,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Ursa Major highlighted that the H13 also boosts overall reliability and operational flexibility while slashing production lead times.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Belarus now imprisons 28 journalists as President Lukashenko intensifies a crackdown on press freedom.—
Yuras Karmanau,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Ogles' comments, made on the first day of House Republicans' annual week-long policy retreat in Doral, Florida, also came as the war in Iran rapidly intensifies.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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,
4 Mar. 2026
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These goals and hopes will set you on a journey that augments your current situation.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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