Synonyms of escalates

escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of escalate

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

• increases
• rises
• accelerates
• swells
• expands
• intensifies
• climbs
• multiplies
• proliferates
• waxes
• accumulates
• spreads
• enlarges
• surges
• snowballs
• mounts
• mushrooms
• rolls up
• heightens
• booms
• appreciates
• jumps
• gains
• builds up
• burgeons
• balloons
• skyrockets
• redoubles
• inflates
• distends
• rockets
• puffs (up)
• peaks
• bulks
• crests
• crescendoes
• blows up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• diminishes
• lessens
• recedes
• wanes
• contracts
• dwindles

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

• increases
• accelerates
• expands
• boosts
• augments
• raises
• multiplies
• extends
• intensifies
• enhances
• amplifies
• adds (to)
• reinforces
• swells
• enlarges
• maximizes
• stokes
• strengthens
• ups
• compounds
• builds up
• aggrandizes
• hypes
• heightens
• develops
• supersizes
• pumps up
• lengthens
• jumps
• inflates
• prolongs
• skyrockets
• spikes
• dilates
• supplements
• distends
• elongates
• complements
• stretches
• bumps (up)
• booms
• draws out
• magnifies
• accumulates
• protracts
• blows up
• ratchets (up)
• fleshes (out)
• amasses
• rachets (up)
• collects
• beefs (up)
• follows up
• parlays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• reduces
• diminishes
• lessens
• lowers
• abates
• dwindles
• downsizes
• subtracts (from)
• shortens
• curtails
• de-escalates
• abbreviates
• abridges
• compresses
• minifies
• condenses
• constricts
• contracts
• retrenches
• cuts back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of escalates

Time returned to a senior person, decisions made with better information, work that no longer escalates. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

If the Hormuz crisis escalates in its next phase and prices soar, Washington may face greater political pressure to restrict oil exports in the belief that doing so will cushion domestic prices. — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

The request escalates the legal fight over the controversial project to the nation’s highest court. — Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

PlayOn Sports will pay $810,000 in the first year that also escalates 3% each year of the contract. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

If any of those were found to have your data, Privacy Bee escalates them to top priority. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Instead, Wells said the murder reflected a pattern often seen in domestic violence cases, where the danger escalates after a victim decides to leave. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Keep communication open so children feel comfortable asking for help before a situation escalates. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

The planemaker's shares have increasingly traded with geopolitical headlines, rallying on signs of diplomacy and selling off when the conflict escalates. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026