ESCALATING Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

escalating

verb

present participle of escalate

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

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 Walek emphasized that despite the violence, Clearwater Beach remains safe for families and visitors, and said police intend to prevent future meetups from escalating. —

Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 With Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz forcing Gulf oil producers to dramatically curb output, governments across the region are intensifying investment in overseas renewable energy projects, underscoring their growing strategic importance amid the escalating energy crisis. —

Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 1 June 2026 The post came amid escalating tensions surrounding demonstrations at Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention facility in Newark that has become the focal point of protests by immigration advocates, local officials, and community activists. —

Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026 Timelines were slipping, integration challenges were escalating and the business teams were beginning to question the value of what was being built. —

Hari Sonnenahalli, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Bringing you the news to know on Monday, from escalating protests at Delaney Hall to what hurricane officials are worried about right now. —

Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 1 June 2026 Charlotte’s restrictions prohibit many discretionary outdoor water uses and allow violations to carry fines beginning at $100, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses or if drought conditions worsen. —

Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026 The rapidly escalating Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was confirmed on May 17 in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. —

Jane Weaver, NBC news, 29 May 2026 At a time of escalating viral threats, this is a take better suited to online feuds than to biosecurity strategy from the apex of American public health. —

Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating

Verb

Leading up to Election Day, the Democratic share of those later ballots, which often determine the outcome in California, was steadily increasing as liberal-leaning voters began to make their choice.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 5 June 2026
At that time, Musk accused the FTC of aggressively increasing the number of investigative demands.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026