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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalating
After decades of snubbing fungi as parasites or passive tubes, the escalating tally of their functions has led researchers to consider mycorrhizae a missing link in climate studies.
—
Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
On climate change, the assault on the environment is escalating, with atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea levels reaching record highs.
—Daniel Holz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Yes, George, frankly, this conflict only seems to be escalating with all sides exchanging intense fire on a daily basis.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Some activists in the diaspora say the war is escalating that pressure.
—Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
An intense search-and-rescue effort is underway for the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that crashed in Iran amid escalating tension in the Middle East.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
For now, the military conflict is escalating.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating Middle East war on Friday, the Kremlin said.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
On climate change, the assault on the environment is escalating, with atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea levels reaching record highs.
—Daniel Holz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Yes, George, frankly, this conflict only seems to be escalating with all sides exchanging intense fire on a daily basis.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Some activists in the diaspora say the war is escalating that pressure.
—Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
An intense search-and-rescue effort is underway for the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that crashed in Iran amid escalating tension in the Middle East.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
For now, the military conflict is escalating.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating Middle East war on Friday, the Kremlin said.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Iran war has entered its fifth week with hostilities escalating across the region.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
-
The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Similarly to fossil fuel supply disruptions of the past, the Iran conflict is already accelerating interest in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy independence.—
Brian Lee,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These dynamics are accelerating structural change across the sector.—
Assef Shaikh,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Years later, in Austria’s Salzburg, a now late teen Wolfgang Mozart performs a piece which is one part period piano, another part glam rock with a swelling modern orchestra, a powerful Freddie Mercury-esque choir and Mozart slamming his piano.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The victim, a 31-year-old man, had visible facial injuries, including scrapes, lacerations and swelling, and injuries indicative of being dragged on pavement, police wrote.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement that the relocation will improve the Forest Service's mission of managing its forests, saving taxpayers' money and boosting employee recruitment.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Investors and CEOs fantasize about slashing costs and boosting margins; every CIO is pushed to come up with an AI plan, to keep up with competitors.—
Gary Marcus,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has said that augmenting the trenches is a priority.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This is all about augmenting its oncology portfolio ahead of top-selling cancer drug Keytruda losing its patent protection in 2028.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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