ESCALATION Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

escalation

noun

Definition of escalation

as in expansion

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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 escalation Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 By contrast, recent restrictions or delays suggest a greater emphasis on managing relations with Beijing and avoiding unnecessary escalation. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 The victim left the area to avoid further escalation, according to the report. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Seoul has demanded an apology and the initiation of dialogue with Pyongyang to prevent further escalation. — Anna Coren, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 First, since the escalation of Middle East conflicts in February of this year, international oil prices have trended higher, reigniting inflationary pressures. — CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Even though United had to drop its planned escalation, the battle has continued. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Given that the dynamic between Europe and Russia is now characterized by pervasive mutual suspicion, conspiracy theories, and expectations of war, there is a growing danger of inadvertent escalation. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026 This is Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak and has spread to eight provinces, coinciding with an escalation of decades-long conflict in the east between government forces and rebels. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalation

Noun

The Valkyries made history in their inaugural season, becoming the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut year.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Scaling hypersonic composites The expansion comes alongside a broader push to strengthen the US industrial base for hypersonic systems.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of expansion

Noun

The rise of loans at Americans’ fingertips Short-term financing has skyrocketed in popularity since the pandemic, when the emergence of these on-demand pay tools, as well as buy-now, pay-later apps aligned with increases in inflation.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of inflation

Noun

Concerns also remain that their prices shot too high following a yearslong frenzy, even though companies in the industry continue to report growth.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
New consumer research suggests the shift is more deliberate, and more compatible with luxury growth, than early coverage implied.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of growth

Noun

Boris Yeltsin’s Russia had struggled to avoid NATO enlargement.

— MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026
Surakot said that the clinic’s management claimed Ubiribo had been a patient at the clinic since 2024 and had received five penile enlargement injections.

— Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of enlargement

Noun

With the combination of high-efficiency amplification and low-loss fiber, Petal doubles cable capacity without proportional power increases.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
The Cornell case is perfectly calibrated for platform amplification on social media.

— Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of amplification

Noun

Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation.

— Saleen Martin, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms.

— Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of distension

Noun

New York households now pay roughly 70 percent more per kilowatt-hour than in 2019, against a national rise of under 40 percent.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Riley points to the rise of rock stars being awarded with knighthoods by the British royal family as a correlation of changing tastes of reputability.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

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“Escalation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalation. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of escalation

noun

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