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
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Recent Examples of escalating
South Korea has become a new focal point amid an escalating feud between China and Japan.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
This includes refusing to follow crew instructions about seating assignments, escalating complaints with nearby passengers—such as disputes over arm rests, seat kicking, or reclining—or otherwise turning a minor annoyance into a confrontation.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
With protests in their third week in Iran, human rights groups estimate at least 646 people have been killed in escalating demonstrations so far, though a near-total communications blackout has made verifying casualties extremely difficult.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
But supporters say the expansion would address escalating instances of campus violence, including the assassination in Utah of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
The debt collection calls become more frequent, the collection letters grow more formal and in many cases, the threats of escalating actions become more common.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
It’s led to an escalating stand-off between the United States and European Union that could increasingly weigh on their relationship.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
In comes Sam Henderson’s Ado, which draws attention to the escalating gun violence in America.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
Investors also have to consider escalating geopolitical tensions.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
This includes refusing to follow crew instructions about seating assignments, escalating complaints with nearby passengers—such as disputes over arm rests, seat kicking, or reclining—or otherwise turning a minor annoyance into a confrontation.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
With protests in their third week in Iran, human rights groups estimate at least 646 people have been killed in escalating demonstrations so far, though a near-total communications blackout has made verifying casualties extremely difficult.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
But supporters say the expansion would address escalating instances of campus violence, including the assassination in Utah of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
The debt collection calls become more frequent, the collection letters grow more formal and in many cases, the threats of escalating actions become more common.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
It’s led to an escalating stand-off between the United States and European Union that could increasingly weigh on their relationship.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
In comes Sam Henderson’s Ado, which draws attention to the escalating gun violence in America.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026
Investors also have to consider escalating geopolitical tensions.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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Still, mainstream Democrats and the Democratic Party seemed inclined to hitch their fates to many of the issues which currently define a politics of domination, like threatening Venezuela or increasing ICE funding, even though for the first time, more voters want to abolish ICE than to keep it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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But the increasing state support comes amid a dramatic overall decline.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Despite re-accelerating growth while expanding its AI narrative, NET has failed to convert fundamentals into durable upside.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
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But for large industrial firms—for OEMs of turbines, compressors, chillers, heavy machinery—the real value is in accelerating engineering itself.—
Paul Eremenko,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Black will join rising redshirt senior Devin McDonough and rising sophomore Luke Brown on the roster.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
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In an increasingly hostile regulatory environment, with a cooling economy and rising costs across the board, Colorado’s small businesses need relief, not another squeeze.—
Ryan Gonzalez,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Harold’s Chicken grew far beyond its original location, expanding into a regional brand with restaurants across eight states.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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Mitsubishi is looking to capitalize on rising power needs from data centers, manufacturing, as well as LNG exports, by expanding in the the world's largest gas market, citing domestic consumption, production, exports, and further demand growth.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In some children, peanut allergy can trigger severe, life-threatening reactions, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and a dangerous drop in blood pressure, according to Mayo Clinic.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
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In July, the White House also shared that the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which causes noticeable swelling in his legs.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Identifying genes associated with muscle growth, as well as pharmaceutical targets, could mean that drugs or gene therapy may eventually be able to assist with boosting muscle response for people who cannot exercise.—
Bonnie Tsui,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
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Trump began reversing the country’s energy policies on his first day in office with a spate of executive orders aimed at boosting oil, gas and coal.—
Jennifer McDermott,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Liquidating talent is a short-term accounting trick; augmenting talent is a long-term growth strategy.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
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On his last record, Reduction of Man, Jaffe inverted his approach, triggering events for his group to respond to rather than augmenting his own playing.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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