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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of escalating
Flattering, placating, and kowtowing only seem to spark escalating demands while defiance risks retaliation.
—
Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Putin is the one escalating the conflict in Europe.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Satellite imagery, Pentagon releases, and ship tracking reports reveal stealth jets, Marines, and naval vessels poised across Puerto Rico and the eastern Caribbean, raising the specter of escalating tensions that some say could be the opening moves of a broader confrontation.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Additionally, the outlet noted that its reporters observed escalating tensions between ICE agents and protesters over the last few weeks.
—Rachel Wolf , Garrett Tenney, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Such rapidly escalating prices explain why the speculated starting point for future expansion franchises in Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix or other cities is around $2 billion.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The incident comes as tensions are escalating nationally over ICE tactics and press freedom.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
There’s an ever-escalating race for states (and countries) to compete to offer the best value for productions.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Next week, the council is scheduled to consider another increase in steadily escalating water rates.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Putin is the one escalating the conflict in Europe.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Satellite imagery, Pentagon releases, and ship tracking reports reveal stealth jets, Marines, and naval vessels poised across Puerto Rico and the eastern Caribbean, raising the specter of escalating tensions that some say could be the opening moves of a broader confrontation.
—John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Additionally, the outlet noted that its reporters observed escalating tensions between ICE agents and protesters over the last few weeks.
—Rachel Wolf , Garrett Tenney, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Such rapidly escalating prices explain why the speculated starting point for future expansion franchises in Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix or other cities is around $2 billion.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
The incident comes as tensions are escalating nationally over ICE tactics and press freedom.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
There’s an ever-escalating race for states (and countries) to compete to offer the best value for productions.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Next week, the council is scheduled to consider another increase in steadily escalating water rates.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
-
The government can raise revenues by increasing the payroll tax that funds Social Security or the income threshold to continue paying the tax or raise the full retirement age.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
People would be wise to consider the ever-increasing cost of homes in the area before selling their property due to immigration enforcement fears, Gonzalez said.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And with the rise of artificial intelligence, generative science is accelerating extraordinary solutions — from mapping geothermal resources underground to discovering novel methods of energy storage.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Wells also added Capital One to the list, citing monthly credit and accelerating buybacks as catalysts.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fatal dog attacks, though rare in the United States, have been sharply rising in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Joel Quenneville taking over a rising team loaded with exciting young players and leading them to the playoffs?—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other southern Arizona wineries are expanding with new eateries and event spaces to attract more visitors.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Now, Meta is expanding those protections beyond Instagram.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Strays arrived at the Fox with a swelling profile driven by relentless road work and a fan base that spans country, rock and Americana.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Check for firm tubers and swelling eyes in the dahlias.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pumpkin seed oil may have many health benefits, including boosting skin, hair, and heart health and managing menopause symptoms.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Musk himself has been known to repost unsubstantiated claims, boosting them to his hundreds of millions of followers.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The offense and entire team were built around augmenting his greatness.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Many allies are already increasing defense spending and augmenting their military capabilities, but this is only a start.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share