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

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

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

Additionally, this language can quickly turn curiosity into accusation while urgency escalates into panic. — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

That perception risks fueling a cycle in which Iran escalates to impose greater costs, while neither side backs down for fear of losing credibility. — Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

As the battle for grass fields escalates, the lawyer in me can’t resist sharing the arguments for and against switching entirely to grass. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 21 July 2026

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