1
as in to increase
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 to accelerate
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 escalate
The violence in Sinaloa escalated after Zambada and one of El Chapo’s sons, Joaquín Guzmán López, were arrested last year by US authorities in El Paso, Texas.
—
Ivonne Valdés, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but some escalated amid clashes with law enforcement officers.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2025
For a long time, reports indicated the king had been unwilling to deepen the rift between him and Prince Harry, but a move such as this one would surely cause their ongoing feud to escalate.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 30 June 2025
Shares of Tesla fell 14% on June 5, as President Trump threatened to pull government contracts for Musk’s companies, escalating a war of words over the president’s spending bill.
—Ari Levy,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Ivonne Valdés, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but some escalated amid clashes with law enforcement officers.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2025
For a long time, reports indicated the king had been unwilling to deepen the rift between him and Prince Harry, but a move such as this one would surely cause their ongoing feud to escalate.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 30 June 2025
Shares of Tesla fell 14% on June 5, as President Trump threatened to pull government contracts for Musk’s companies, escalating a war of words over the president’s spending bill.
—Ari Levy,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
-
Speakers said recent actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had provoked increasing concern over the safety of local residents attending the Club World Cup games this summer at Hard Rock Stadium.—
CD Goette-Luciak,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
The legislation is the signature priority of President Donald Trump, extending the 2017 tax cuts, adding billions to border security and increasing defense spending.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Putting oneself in those situations that challenge conversational comfort zones and embracing discomfort, tension and unresolved conflicts accelerates growth significantly.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
-
Throughout the 1960s, New York City’s financial sector boomed, yet simultaneously, poverty rates soared, deindustrialization accelerated, and housing costs skyrocketed.—
Daniel Wortel-London,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
That, however, may be a blessing in disguise that allows Fatu to rise up the ranks on SmackDown even quicker than expected.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
-
Romanticize your sleep with Tekla’s dainty bedding Since launching in 2017, Tekla has expanded from bedding into sleepwear, bathroom sets, and more.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
LoPresti said southern flannel moths sting through venomous hairs that can cause burning, numbness, swelling, and in severe cases, nausea or full-limb inflammation.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
-
Anti-inflammatory nutrition taken in through diet and supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin, for example, can help ease symptoms like pain and swelling.—
Jessica DuLong,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
That starts with understanding customers' needs, using agents to augment the work sellers do and then providing sales coaching on the go with a closed-loop learning system.—
Anand Shah,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Edwards and Lopez flipping positions has augmented Miami defensively, and Edwards has continued to hit (.283, .358 on base).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Getty Images Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to steal and sell online passwords, experts warn.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
-
While inflation and rising interest rates have intensified financial pressure across the board, the impact has been disproportionately severe for those already operating at a capital disadvantage, which includes many women of color entrepreneurs.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
While most Mets fans likely want to see the team make some huge moves this season, a trade for McMahon might be the crucial deal that boosts the lineup over the dog days of summer.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
The activists claim that some of that money could be used to boost its spending on charitable endeavors.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share