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

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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

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 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 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 Taipei’s drills will simulate a scenario where China abruptly escalates one of its military exercises into an actual attack. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 21 June 2026 Set on a Japanese island during wartime, the story follows two girls from an all-girls school who are ordered to nurse the wounded in a military hospital concealed in a cave as violence escalates around them. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 June 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 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 Rhaena is sent to Pentos with Rhaenyra’s sons, Joffrey, Viserys II and Aegon III to stay safe as the war escalates, but not without being given four dragon eggs by Rhaenyra. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
  1. increases
  2. accelerates
  3. rises
  4. expands
  5. swells
  6. boosts
  7. intensifies
  8. augments
Verb
  • Airport officials say the new design increases the distance between the terminal and the nearest runway, currently as little as 257 feet, soon to be about 880 feet, bringing the airport into compliance with FAA standards.
    — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Firejet production also increases Beyond collaborative combat aircraft, the expansion will increase production of Kratos’ Firejet family of aerial target systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • That’s especially important for farmers because nitrogen fertilizers serve as a key nutrient for crops that accelerates growth and enhances yields during harvest, Sumner added.
    — Chase Hunter, Boston Herald, 6 July 2026
  • Chinese equipment manufacturer Zoomlion has unveiled five new-energy technology achievements spanning construction, mining, and agricultural machinery, as the company accelerates its shift toward low-emission heavy equipment.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of accelerates
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
  • As the sun expands, gravitational tides act like a subtle brake, slowly draining Earth's orbital energy and pulling the planet inward.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
  • The package expands the Air Force’s layered defenses against small unmanned aircraft.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of expands
Verb
  • Top officials appear as the crowd size swells Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led the prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque for the late Khamenei and family members killed in the strike.
    — Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Most people only hear about it when a lymph node swells during a cold, or when a social media video promises a gua sha stone will detox their face.
    — Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 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, 5 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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Cite this Entry

“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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