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
Relevance
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
Even when Kerr and Staples get in an argument that frighteningly escalates, both Blunt and Johnson maintain their relaxed equilibrium.
—
Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The confrontation quickly escalates into an argument.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The opt-out process escalates the company’s cavalier approach to intellectual property rights, potentially setting up a legal battle between Hollywood’s biggest studios and the AI start-up.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
As the war escalates, Israel is also taking hits in the entertainment and culture sphere.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
As the fight escalates, there is an exchange that perfectly encapsulates Adriana.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The overhaul, signed by the president Friday night, escalates the price of entry to $100,000 per worker, to be paid by the company.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
Critical incidents like loss of model control, a leak of model weights, or a deployment that meaningfully escalates risk would need to be reported to state authorities within tight time windows.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region.
—Dan Gooding
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The confrontation quickly escalates into an argument.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
The opt-out process escalates the company’s cavalier approach to intellectual property rights, potentially setting up a legal battle between Hollywood’s biggest studios and the AI start-up.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
As the war escalates, Israel is also taking hits in the entertainment and culture sphere.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
As the fight escalates, there is an exchange that perfectly encapsulates Adriana.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The overhaul, signed by the president Friday night, escalates the price of entry to $100,000 per worker, to be paid by the company.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
Critical incidents like loss of model control, a leak of model weights, or a deployment that meaningfully escalates risk would need to be reported to state authorities within tight time windows.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region.
—Dan Gooding
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
Verb
-
The law lowers daily transaction minimums, increases warnings on the kiosks, requires transaction receipts and requires Bitcoin ATM operators to issue refunds to victims of fraud, the release states.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Corrections Department budget increases wages for corrections officers but also makes tens of millions of dollars in cuts by eliminating programs and administrative costs and funding for positions that have not been filled.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When people are equipped, AI accelerates progress.—
Christopher Lind,
Big Think,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Bone density naturally peaks in our 20s and starts to decline by our 30s, and that decline is slow at first but accelerates as hormones shift.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Joseph of Egypt tells the Old Testament story about Joseph (Adam Hamshi), who, betrayed by jealous brothers, defies all expectations and rises to incredible power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Its extendable tabletop expands to give you extra room when entertaining, while two drawers tuck away remotes and other essentials.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Throughout this month, the collaboration expands with a robust lineup of experiential programming, including live performances with Gibson, a Maxbone Joy happy hour, a special Derrick Adams x Bookmarc moment, among other events.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Offshore swells up to 12 feet and long-period surf have prompted widespread marine warnings.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Humberto is expected to bring long period swells to the Atlantic Coast, creating life-threatening surf and currents, according to the National Weather Service.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This step boosts the nutrients in your dishes and helps minimize food waste.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In terms of actual film study, Reid has an extra 24 hours to do that this week, something that historically boosts Kansas City’s odds of emerging victorious.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Neptune retrograde in Pisces sharpens spiritual intuition, and the Sun entering Scorpio on the 22nd intensifies your pursuit of authenticity.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
-
For quantum devices, the problem intensifies.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With fewer job openings for critical roles — since workers stay longer and AI augments their output — there is simply less need for recruiters to find workers to fill non-critical roles.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of replacing systematic reviews, AI in this new paradigm augments them.—
Anna Forsythe,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share