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

But as the cost of identity failure escalates, the threat model has shifted. — Bojan Šimić, Forbes.com, 7 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

Instead, Wells said the murder reflected a pattern often seen in domestic violence cases, where the danger escalates after a victim decides to leave. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Keep communication open so children feel comfortable asking for help before a situation escalates. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

The planemaker's shares have increasingly traded with geopolitical headlines, rallying on signs of diplomacy and selling off when the conflict escalates. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

That perception risks fueling a cycle in which Iran escalates to impose greater costs, while neither side backs down for fear of losing credibility. — Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 29 July 2026

As the battle for grass fields escalates, the lawyer in me can’t resist sharing the arguments for and against switching entirely to grass. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 21 July 2026

And if the war escalates further, there will be fewer buffers available to stave off another big spike. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 14 July 2026