as in expansion
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Recent Examples of escalation
The dramatic shift in tenor came as intermediaries, led by Pakistan, worked feverishly to head off a further escalation of the conflict.
—
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Prior to the escalation, between 100 and 130 vessels, including oil tankers, were transiting the strait daily.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
An earlier Israeli attack there in March prompted Iran to target energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries, a major escalation.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
But that would amount to a massive escalation and a huge loss of life that would have catastrophic consequences for both the Iranian people and his own presidency.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Clear, direct communication between medical teams and bedside staff, with parents included as partners, would prevent unnecessary escalation.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
The proposals appear to be part of a last-ditch attempt by energy-rich Oman, which has previously mediated between Washington and Tehran, to avert a broader escalation of the war.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The escalation has now resulted in Israel, with Trump holding their hand in this Thelma and Louise-style adventure, invading two sovereign countries (Lebanon and Iran) and brazenly hitting nuclear power plants, prompting Russia to warn the world of a potential nuclear disaster.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Indeed, there was more escalation in the fighting this weekend.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Prior to the escalation, between 100 and 130 vessels, including oil tankers, were transiting the strait daily.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2026
An earlier Israeli attack there in March prompted Iran to target energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries, a major escalation.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 7 Apr. 2026
But that would amount to a massive escalation and a huge loss of life that would have catastrophic consequences for both the Iranian people and his own presidency.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Clear, direct communication between medical teams and bedside staff, with parents included as partners, would prevent unnecessary escalation.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
The proposals appear to be part of a last-ditch attempt by energy-rich Oman, which has previously mediated between Washington and Tehran, to avert a broader escalation of the war.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The escalation has now resulted in Israel, with Trump holding their hand in this Thelma and Louise-style adventure, invading two sovereign countries (Lebanon and Iran) and brazenly hitting nuclear power plants, prompting Russia to warn the world of a potential nuclear disaster.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Indeed, there was more escalation in the fighting this weekend.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalation
Noun
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And just off of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar renovation that saw a refresh of every guest room, the expansion of its family-friendly villa offerings, a sleek new pool, and several updates to its world-class golf course, the property is feeling better than ever.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Surprisingly, there are a few dresses worn by society figures of a bygone age when Denver was an up-and-coming metropolis, made rich by mining and the westward expansion of American culture.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Higher inflation and weaker growth ahead are inevitable for the global economy as a consequence of the Iran war, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned on Monday as the institution prepares to cut its forecasts.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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After four years of sky-high inflation, American families can ill afford another round of higher food prices, but that’s exactly what’s coming if things remain unchanged.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yang is part of a generation of workers that powered China's growth by digging coal from underground mines in Datong, a city known as China's coal capital in the northern province of Shanxi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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By examining brain tissue removed in such surgeries, a team led by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital has identified mutations in genes that control the growth of neurons, including one affecting an enzyme that is important in cell proliferation.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Breast enlargement is seen and may or may not include the production of milk.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
City Hall has filed an appeal against a court ruling in favor of the Council’s expansion of CityFHEPS last year, U-turning a campaign pledge to drop the lawsuit and move forward with the costly enlargement to the municipal housing voucher program.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Everybody on the right creeps left, and everybody on the left creeps right.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Season One, which aired in 2005, focused on the coming creep of reality television, while 2014’s Season Two showcased the rise of streamers and prestige TV.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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However, neither design took well to electrical amplification, and, by the nineteen-forties, production lines had been given over to the guitar.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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The president’s amplification of AI images has often happened in a political vacuum — replies on X, re-Truths on the president’s social media account.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Scientists have taken a particular interest in Antarctica's western shelf due to its potential to cause a significant rise in sea levels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The effort is aimed at targeting tobacco use among teens, as concern grows over the rise in youth vaping.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalation. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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