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
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Recent Examples of escalates
But when rivalry between sororities escalates and a body is found, ambition, loyalty, and sisterhood collide with deadly consequences.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
With this pattern, if conflict escalates further, Iran could even target nuclear power stations.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The challenge escalates a political fight that has been brewing since lawmakers passed the measure during the final days of this year's legislative session.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 3 June 2026
But higher oil prices — particularly if the conflict in the Middle East escalates — or a deteriorating labor market could make the consumer slowdown sharper than currently anticipated.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
When Trevor escalates his con and starts contacting Karl and calling her at work, Paula flips.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Depending on how aggressively partisan engineering escalates in the interim, the 2032 GPI is projected to range from 50 to 59, roughly four times the pre-2010 baseline and unprecedented in recent history.
—Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Ahead of season 3, EW has launched three motion covers, each one starring a contender for the crown — as the show's cold war escalates into literal dragon fire.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
As Meiko, a quiet single mom with a penchant for knitting like a cheerful Madame DeFarge, Moone embodies Meiko’s optimism, which, as the situation escalates, explodes into an everybody’s-thinking-it-but-no-one-wants-to-say-it, show-stopping monologue.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
With this pattern, if conflict escalates further, Iran could even target nuclear power stations.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The challenge escalates a political fight that has been brewing since lawmakers passed the measure during the final days of this year's legislative session.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 3 June 2026
But higher oil prices — particularly if the conflict in the Middle East escalates — or a deteriorating labor market could make the consumer slowdown sharper than currently anticipated.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
When Trevor escalates his con and starts contacting Karl and calling her at work, Paula flips.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Depending on how aggressively partisan engineering escalates in the interim, the 2032 GPI is projected to range from 50 to 59, roughly four times the pre-2010 baseline and unprecedented in recent history.
—Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Ahead of season 3, EW has launched three motion covers, each one starring a contender for the crown — as the show's cold war escalates into literal dragon fire.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
As Meiko, a quiet single mom with a penchant for knitting like a cheerful Madame DeFarge, Moone embodies Meiko’s optimism, which, as the situation escalates, explodes into an everybody’s-thinking-it-but-no-one-wants-to-say-it, show-stopping monologue.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
Verb
-
Researchers think that making art also increases neuroplasticity (the ability to form new connections).—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2026
-
That increases the risk that individuals’ personal data could be exposed, misused or commercialized without their consent.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Rapid volumetric heating accelerates dye diffusion and allows for deeper penetration of the prickly pear peel pigment molecules (betalain) into the wool fiber interior swollen by the heat.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
-
Alibaba’s move comes as competition in physical AI accelerates globally.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Historic elements of the former hotel remain today, including a grand piano and white stone, spiral staircase that rises up to the second-floor banquet rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
The Love Goddess Venus rises in your 10th House of Career and Status, standing opposite cosmic detective Pluto in your 4th House of Home, so public goals confront private truths that need recognition.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The gas in your stomach expands as the pressure drops, leaving you bloated.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Broader sonobuoy push The Scottish trial arrives as Ultra Maritime expands its sonobuoy business through production contracts and international partnerships.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
On Tuesday, elevated surf conditions were reported in Laguna Beach, which can get swells up to 9 feet.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Summer has already kicked off with beefy surf up and down the coastline, with moderate southern hemisphere swells bringing waves in the 3-to 5-foot range at many spots the past week.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Clement’s sad-sack charm successfully boosts the leap of faith required to keep Steve from becoming an oblivious creep, but the show belongs to Walker.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Oyarzabal also has potential penalty responsibilities, which immediately boosts his appeal.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Roasting peaches intensifies their flavor, and in this old-school recipe, they're mashed and mixed into a rich custard before churning into a creamy, fruit-forward ice cream.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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Still, as the day unfolds, the sun's alignment to Pluto intensifies deeper fears around control, recognition and power.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Another envisions a future where technology augments rather than replaces human capability.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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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,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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