1
as in increasing
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 accelerating
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
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Recent Examples of escalating
The warnings come amid escalating unrest in Minneapolis following recent deadly encounters involving federal immigration agents during enforcement operations, which sparked large crowd responses and heightened tensions across parts of the city.
—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Fine rejected the notion that the administration is escalating tensions, instead placing blame on Minnesota officials for refusing to cooperate with federal authorities.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
But the escalating immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, especially the killing of protester Alex Pretti over the weekend, has turned the political tide.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Iran has been escalating its rhetoric against the US over the past week, warning that any attack would be met with force capable of destabilizing the entire Middle East.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The show explores contemporary threats facing the LGBTQ+ community through the story of two Manchester neighbors whose lives become entangled in escalating tensions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
In the clinical trial, smartwatch alerts prompted parents to respond within four seconds on average to early signs of escalating stress.
—Mayo Clinic News Network, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Last year marked a strong one for stock returns, despite a macroeconomic backdrop largely characterized by rising volatility amid escalating global tensions and a Federal Reserve rate cutting cycle.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Tensions between Haiti’s transitional authorities have been escalating since November.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Fine rejected the notion that the administration is escalating tensions, instead placing blame on Minnesota officials for refusing to cooperate with federal authorities.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 26 Jan. 2026
But the escalating immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, especially the killing of protester Alex Pretti over the weekend, has turned the political tide.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
Iran has been escalating its rhetoric against the US over the past week, warning that any attack would be met with force capable of destabilizing the entire Middle East.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The show explores contemporary threats facing the LGBTQ+ community through the story of two Manchester neighbors whose lives become entangled in escalating tensions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
In the clinical trial, smartwatch alerts prompted parents to respond within four seconds on average to early signs of escalating stress.
—Mayo Clinic News Network, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Last year marked a strong one for stock returns, despite a macroeconomic backdrop largely characterized by rising volatility amid escalating global tensions and a Federal Reserve rate cutting cycle.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Tensions between Haiti’s transitional authorities have been escalating since November.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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Now, decoupling supply chains are driving manufacturing growth in the West once more, electric vehicles and home heat pumps need to be plugged in, and the makers of AI’s large language models have ever-increasing power needs.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The move marks a broader trend from the brand, which has been increasing its visibility to new markets through the world of sports, and, at the moment, none is hotter than that of F1.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That could be a signal that the pace of layoffs is accelerating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Alphabet reported fantastic fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, proof that its eye-popping spending on artificial intelligence is accelerating growth across all its businesses.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kumar is one of millions of residents in the Indian capital suffering sporadic water shortages due to rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River that last week forced six of the city’s nine major water plants to shut down.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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These cycles, which last about 11 years, mark periods of rising and falling solar activity.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Future versions are projected to extend driving range to around 310–372 miles (500–600 kilometers), expanding suitability beyond short-range applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Bill Gates named in Epstein files Documents released from the Epstein files indicate that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly after Epstein's prison term to discuss expanding the Microsoft founder's philanthropic efforts.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patients should learn that swelling and bruising are most noticeable during the first few weeks.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Software stock slide worsens on AI fears US software stocks sank further Tuesday on swelling investor fears that new AI tools will eat their lunch.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When consumed in reasonable amounts, artichokes can offer health benefits, such as protecting your liver, boosting heart health, regulating blood sugar levels, and more.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Pats and Seahawks aren’t quite the draw of the Eagles and Chiefs, but Nielsen’s new measurement system has been boosting TV ratings across sports over the past six months, so put me down for a record 128 million (or more), especially considering the global appeal of Bad Bunny.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Preservation was part of the conversation when the two connected, but both were also focused on revitalization and augmenting the structure’s old-world charms with something fresh and modern.—
Lina Lecaro,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The nearly 14-year transit is augmenting the world and our lives.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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