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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of escalates
As was the case in the first season as well, the finale escalates to a place of thrilling zaniness, with a little less ultimate emotional gravitas this time around.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
So far, Beef’s episodes have marched on chronologically as the conflict escalates.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
As rivalry escalates into a battle for control, the two women push one another to dangerous extremes.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
For women, that escalates sharply in menopause.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Spending every day together, Howard and Nancy strike up a friendship that escalates into an affair after a drunken night celebrating the show’s wrap.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
The reaction on Tuesday from investors is relatively muted given the economic risks that could be in store if the war escalates, said Nigel Green, the CEO of investment firm de Vere Group.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
As conflict escalates across the region and further destabilizes Lebanon with the possibility of long-term Israeli occupation, officials insist that elections are simply not feasible.
—Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026
The move escalates the president's bid to place new restrictions on voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress is at stake.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
So far, Beef’s episodes have marched on chronologically as the conflict escalates.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
As rivalry escalates into a battle for control, the two women push one another to dangerous extremes.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
For women, that escalates sharply in menopause.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026
Spending every day together, Howard and Nancy strike up a friendship that escalates into an affair after a drunken night celebrating the show’s wrap.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
The reaction on Tuesday from investors is relatively muted given the economic risks that could be in store if the war escalates, said Nigel Green, the CEO of investment firm de Vere Group.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
As conflict escalates across the region and further destabilizes Lebanon with the possibility of long-term Israeli occupation, officials insist that elections are simply not feasible.
—Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026
The move escalates the president's bid to place new restrictions on voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress is at stake.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
Verb
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According to this law, heat always flows from a hotter to a cooler object, which in turn increases that cooler object’s entropy.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
21 Apr. 2026
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The project increases Georgia’s already strong presence in the growing defense industry.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This external stripping accelerates the heating and expansion of the dwarf galaxy, nudging it toward that dynamical attractor even faster.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
That is changing as Japan accelerates a buildup of its military and defense industry to play more offensive roles in the face of threats from China, North Korea and Russia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When demand rises, so will supply, advocates say, and the economies of scale will kick in and help lower upfront prices.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As war burns across England, an army of commoners rises to face the King’s might in a fight for justice and survival, led by Garfield’s protagonist.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The deal also expands surveillance capabilities through drones, helicopters and electronic monitoring to better prevent crossing attempts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
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These rubbery, firm nodules are called keloids, which are poorly understood skin growths that result from wound healing that goes awry and expands beyond the borders of the original wound.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her voice swells, filling the chamber like steam.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Massachusetts lawmaker is part of a growing chorus of voices in Washington calling for stronger oversight of these betting platforms as interest swells.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In fact, someone older might give you advice that ultimately boosts your income or helps you in a practical or financial way.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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Environmental health researchers increasingly recommend that people use HEPA air purifiers in their homes to lower their exposure to particulate matter, but few studies have examined whether using them boosts mental function.—
Doug Brugge,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That intensifies pressure on housing, infrastructure and the environment, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Philadelphia is expected to reach 87 on Tuesday before the heat intensifies to a high of 91 later in the week.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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,
19 Apr. 2026
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Any presence on the interior that augments the pass rush would be welcome, no matter the primary position.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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