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
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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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Recent Examples of escalates
Less than thirty seconds before Pretti is shot, the clash between immigration agents and the observers escalates.
—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Lawyers for the plaintiffs said the new policy eliminated a guardrail designed to protect people’s rights as ICE escalates enforcement operations in numerous states including Minnesota with aggressive tactics that several judges had ruled unlawful.
—Reuters, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
What starts as a hunt for a murderer escalates into an undercover operation to foil a far-right bomb plot in the heart of London.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Trump’s move escalates the year-long battle between the White House and California over disaster and water management, as well as local permitting rules.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The oversharing Cynthia immediately passes this information on to her daughter, leading to a meet-cute in the laundry room that quickly escalates into Mary becoming, well, alien pregnant.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
For some Texans, that stress escalates after a vehicle is repossessed — followed by intimidating notices warning that wages could be garnished to collect the remaining balance.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
The difference is that when conflict escalates, their nervous system shifts into protection mode.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
After a man appears to resist, the situation escalates as several agents tackle him and place him in handcuffs.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Lawyers for the plaintiffs said the new policy eliminated a guardrail designed to protect people’s rights as ICE escalates enforcement operations in numerous states including Minnesota with aggressive tactics that several judges had ruled unlawful.
—Reuters, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
What starts as a hunt for a murderer escalates into an undercover operation to foil a far-right bomb plot in the heart of London.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
Trump’s move escalates the year-long battle between the White House and California over disaster and water management, as well as local permitting rules.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The oversharing Cynthia immediately passes this information on to her daughter, leading to a meet-cute in the laundry room that quickly escalates into Mary becoming, well, alien pregnant.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
For some Texans, that stress escalates after a vehicle is repossessed — followed by intimidating notices warning that wages could be garnished to collect the remaining balance.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026
The difference is that when conflict escalates, their nervous system shifts into protection mode.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
After a man appears to resist, the situation escalates as several agents tackle him and place him in handcuffs.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates
Verb
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That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Researchers in Hong Kong have developed a low-cost hydrogel coating that cools solar panel hot spots and increases the power output, thus improving their overall performance and reliability.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Participation accelerates growth, but the platform owners ultimately govern access, pricing and strategic direction.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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History shows that once a government normalizes this language, the slide accelerates.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, if one spouse is 65 or older, that income threshold rises to $33,100.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Picture sipping coffee as the sun rises over the Rockies, or gliding past red rock canyons en route to Glacier National Park, all from the comfort of a panoramic observation car.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Accessibility There is one fully accessible treehouse (and more ADA rooms to come as Lovango expands in future phases).—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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Advocate expands educational opportunities for workers The health system is also prioritizing long-term career growth.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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No matter the chapter, no matter the group, in London everything swells together like a great Brazilian monochromatic gumbo.—
Theo Lloyd-Hughes,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
There will be large waves and swells along the entire stretch from New England to the Carolinas.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our expert take The Citi Strata Premier® Card has competitive rewards rates and unlocks access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners, which boosts the value of your points.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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Fresh air, no matter the temperature, and time in nature, boosts immunity.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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March’s lunar eclipse in Virgo — activating your fifth house of love and passion — intensifies attraction, desire and romantic chemistry, pushing you to take a risk or end a dynamic that no longer brings you joy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Microsoft has introduced the Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip, as competition intensifies around the cost of running large models.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 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,
30 Jan. 2026
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In addition, an agency’s team will be able to explain how AI visibility augments your overall brand authority and discovery.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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