Synonyms of escalates

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

• increases
• rises
• accelerates
• swells
• expands
• intensifies
• climbs
• multiplies
• proliferates
• waxes
• accumulates
• spreads
• enlarges
• surges
• snowballs
• mounts
• mushrooms
• rolls up
• heightens
• booms
• appreciates
• jumps
• gains
• builds up
• burgeons
• balloons
• skyrockets
• redoubles
• inflates
• distends
• rockets
• puffs (up)
• peaks
• bulks
• crests
• crescendoes
• blows up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• diminishes
• lessens
• recedes
• wanes
• contracts
• dwindles

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

• increases
• accelerates
• expands
• boosts
• augments
• raises
• multiplies
• extends
• intensifies
• enhances
• amplifies
• adds (to)
• reinforces
• swells
• enlarges
• maximizes
• stokes
• strengthens
• ups
• compounds
• builds up
• aggrandizes
• hypes
• heightens
• develops
• supersizes
• pumps up
• lengthens
• jumps
• inflates
• prolongs
• skyrockets
• spikes
• dilates
• supplements
• distends
• elongates
• complements
• stretches
• bumps (up)
• booms
• draws out
• magnifies
• accumulates
• protracts
• blows up
• ratchets (up)
• fleshes (out)
• amasses
• rachets (up)
• collects
• beefs (up)
• follows up
• parlays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• reduces
• diminishes
• lessens
• lowers
• abates
• dwindles
• downsizes
• subtracts (from)
• shortens
• curtails
• de-escalates
• abbreviates
• abridges
• compresses
• minifies
• condenses
• constricts
• contracts
• retrenches
• cuts back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of escalates

While some of the skills were previously taught in limited high school modules, the new version escalates this training for children as young as 13. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Ukraine escalates its own long-range drone campaign, hitting Russian command posts and major online retailers, while stray drones over neighboring Moldova underscore fears the war could spill across borders. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

The move further escalates a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor that erupted after negotiations between the two countries collapsed over the weekend. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

The dynamic between the parents and the perpetrators steadily escalates from politeness to hostility to eventual torture, all while maintaining a frustrating attitude of inevitability and justification toward the former’s fate. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026

Time returned to a senior person, decisions made with better information, work that no longer escalates. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

If the Hormuz crisis escalates in its next phase and prices soar, Washington may face greater political pressure to restrict oil exports in the belief that doing so will cushion domestic prices. — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

The request escalates the legal fight over the controversial project to the nation’s highest court. — Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026

If any of those were found to have your data, Privacy Bee escalates them to top priority. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026