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
As Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting leader on Monday, rights group warned of escalating repression, with checkpoints being erected around the country, amid reports of price gouging and growing hunger.
—
Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The season ended with the gang war in Kingstown escalating to a violent climax in the finale.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Investors also have to consider escalating geopolitical tensions.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Dish Network has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney in an escalating legal battle over Sling TV‘s first-of-its-kind short-term offerings, which allow users to sign up for as little as one day at a fraction of the full monthly subscription cost.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
According to The Times, the documentary covers allegations that Chase, who had become frustrated with his character’s escalating bigotry and a scene in which the character uses a hand puppet wearing blackface, said a racial slur when asking whether his character would be made to say it next.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2026
There is a cacophony of voices shouting different, competing demands as ideological divides produce escalating culture wars.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Maduro began his third term amid widespread international non-recognition and escalating repression.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The season ended with the gang war in Kingstown escalating to a violent climax in the finale.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Investors also have to consider escalating geopolitical tensions.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Dish Network has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney in an escalating legal battle over Sling TV‘s first-of-its-kind short-term offerings, which allow users to sign up for as little as one day at a fraction of the full monthly subscription cost.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
According to The Times, the documentary covers allegations that Chase, who had become frustrated with his character’s escalating bigotry and a scene in which the character uses a hand puppet wearing blackface, said a racial slur when asking whether his character would be made to say it next.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2026
There is a cacophony of voices shouting different, competing demands as ideological divides produce escalating culture wars.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Maduro began his third term amid widespread international non-recognition and escalating repression.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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The military is striking the boats at the same time the administration is applying increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Dark energy was introduced as a placeholder force to explain this accelerating expansion.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The expansion rate of the universe may be slowing down, rather than accelerating at an ever-growing rate, a potentially groundbreaking new study has hinted.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His ability to handle all this now, the rising fame and the expectation to be the best, is because his dad taught him how to always find his center.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Even in states like Texas, which opted not to expand its Medicaid program and continued to rely on counties to care for many of its uninsured, rising health care costs are straining local budgets.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The concept is expanding into practice in the state as a solution to regional food distribution challenges.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Future work will focus on integrating snow-deposition modeling with PV yield simulations to more accurately predict energy losses and on expanding analyses to more complex, uneven alpine terrain.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Per BrightOcular, potential complications include infections, high pressure in the eye, glaucoma, inflammation of the iris, swelling in the cornea, loss of cells around the cornea, deterioration of the iris and more.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Arthritis refers to swelling in the joints.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In addition to executing the oxygen facial, McLeod-Valentine delivered the earliest iteration of his now-signature facial massage, meant to lymphatically drain the face to emphasize a client’s facial structure while boosting skin radiance and hydration before a major red carpet appearance.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Chia Seed Pudding With Berries Make this rich in protein and extra creamy by combining 3 tablespoons of omega-3-boosting chia seeds with one-half cup of unsweetened soy milk, and one-fourth cup of plain Greek yogurt to get some probiotic benefits.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Courtesy Deirdre Hall When reading women’s routine mammograms, radiologists are increasingly augmenting their eyes with artificial intelligence.—
Elizabeth Cohen,
NBC news,
22 Oct. 2025
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The British royal family member accessorized her look with gold earrings by English designer Daniella Draper — donning a pair of mini hoops with shamrock charms in gold, further augmenting the fall shades of her ensemble.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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