ESCALATES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of escalate

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 The conflict between pragmatism and generosity begins at a small scale and incrementally escalates. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The finger-pointing escalates a long-standing argument between places led by Democrats and the federal government over federal immigration law – and who should help enforce it. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 News conference escalates family of Secoriea Turner’s fight over Rick Jackson campaign ads. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The situation escalates as the mariachi music begins playing and the couple approach a display of white roses and candles laid out on the grass. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 If the abuse escalates to hands around the neck, the odds of being killed increases by 750%, the Journal of Emergency Medicine says. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 When murder escalates from a scheme to action, her secret becomes an unbearable burden to carry. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 That information can then trigger a workflow that assigns the appropriate specialist, sets a deadline, monitors progress and escalates the issue when an exception occurs. — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The architectural design guidance starts with simple hooks but escalates to slim racks sized for pot lids, foil boxes and plastic wrap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates

Verb

If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Though this increases the X-Y dimensions, Apple worked closely with the system team to ensure the phones' internals could support this slightly larger package.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

Using this strategy, our team found that skeletal muscle memory accelerates muscle growth.

— Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
Communities are being asked to do more with less as climate change accelerates, and the skills needed to care for these places are being lost.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

The National Weather Service said rainfall was diminishing in the area but that rapid river rises and flooding remained possible.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
How to see the Taurid meteor showers Both showers appear to originate from Taurus, a constellation that rises during the evening and climbs higher into the sky as the night progresses.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

Even without their local ties, Gash are a shoe-in at Eaux Claires, the Wisconsin music festival founded by Justin Vernon that expands on the experimental curiosity and unhurried approach at the heart of Bon Iver’s latter career.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
The presentation comes as Netflix separately expands its AI ambitions, including its acquisition of Ben Affleck’s filmmaking technology company InterPositive.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Friday, the high tide in San Diego and La Jolla was coming in 17 inches higher than the official prediction, which doesn’t account for hotter-than-normal ocean waters or swells from tropical storms, according to NOAA’s tide forecasts.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Music, which has been the constant all-consuming river of his life, swells him into an adventure that will change him forever.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of swells

Verb

Their performance on the court will get even better with this kick’s Goodyear® performance outsole, which boosts grip and durability.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
The brand’s core technology, NIA 114, strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the performance of other active ingredients.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of boosts

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escalated

escalates

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“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of escalates

verb

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