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
With The Mannequin, Sean Byrne has gifted us two unforgettable characters in Charley and Sadie and then thrown them into a fast-escalating nightmare.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 May 2026
The Saudi Aramco logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen in this photo illustration, as prices fluctuate amid escalating conflict involving Iran and concerns over global supply disruptions in Brussels, Belgium, on March 2, 2026.
—Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 10 May 2026
That frustration rings especially true in Colorado, where insurance premiums have been climbing thanks to escalating wildfire and weather risks, a concern the Hippo report identifies as a major pressure point across the Mountain region.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigned Friday amid mounting pressure from Republican state leaders and an escalating investigation into allegations of an affair with an attorney connected to a major redistricting lawsuit.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026
Other concerns have centered around the escalating price tag.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
From housing to groceries to escalating water and electricity rates, people are struggling, and wages aren’t keeping up.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Boards should make ample use of progressive enforcement measures before considering the possibility of escalating to legal action.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
That creates a fissure among the survivors, an escalating conflict through which the behaviors of young men, both for better and worse (mostly worse), are boiled down to their terrifying essence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 May 2026
The Saudi Aramco logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen in this photo illustration, as prices fluctuate amid escalating conflict involving Iran and concerns over global supply disruptions in Brussels, Belgium, on March 2, 2026.
—Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 10 May 2026
That frustration rings especially true in Colorado, where insurance premiums have been climbing thanks to escalating wildfire and weather risks, a concern the Hippo report identifies as a major pressure point across the Mountain region.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigned Friday amid mounting pressure from Republican state leaders and an escalating investigation into allegations of an affair with an attorney connected to a major redistricting lawsuit.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026
Other concerns have centered around the escalating price tag.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
From housing to groceries to escalating water and electricity rates, people are struggling, and wages aren’t keeping up.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Boards should make ample use of progressive enforcement measures before considering the possibility of escalating to legal action.
—Nicole R. Kurtz, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
That creates a fissure among the survivors, an escalating conflict through which the behaviors of young men, both for better and worse (mostly worse), are boiled down to their terrifying essence.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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This feeling of stasis is made all the more worrying by Ukraine’s increasing ability to strike inside Russia itself.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Use in hydrogen transportation The five-metal nanocrystals have proven effective in accelerating ammonia decomposition, a process vital for the hydrogen energy economy.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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This ranges from accelerating road and sidewalk repairs to regularly cleaning our stormwater systems to prevent avoidable tragedies like the 2024 floods.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Sentiment was hurt by the rising price of gas caused by the war, according to survey director Joanne Hsu.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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Our teachers are making an impact every day while working with increasing local demands, rising expectations, and with less state funding.—
Clinton McCracken,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Officials said the department is expanding coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services to include parents above that threshold.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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That means expanding solar on city facilities and exploring innovative energy options to reduce emissions and long-term costs.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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More recently, the DIAN network has helped researchers assess the drugs' side effects, which include swelling and bleeding in the brain.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
7 May 2026
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According to both sources, treatment includes resting the wrist and thumb, applying ice to help with swelling and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Chinese companies increasingly are setting internal targets for boosting use of AI to improve efficiency, said Janet Tang, a partner & managing director focused on technology at consultancy AlixPartners.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Rhodiola Rosea — Arctic root for fighting fatigue, boosting mood, and reducing stress.—
Ryan Brennan
May 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Semafor’s journalists helped fill in the gaps by augmenting the readout with reporting that wasn’t captured in the transcript.—
Gina Chua,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
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Supporters’ contributions help change students’ lives by relieving financial burdens, augmenting the resources that support student learning inside and outside the classroom, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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