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
Examples 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
Beijing in October announced provisional tariffs on European Union brandy imports, part of an escalating trade row between Beijing and Brussels.
—
Afp, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
The balance between Chinese traditions and Western influence – smartly observed here, without the strongly nationalistic messaging that has become so common in Chinese cinema of late – plays a prominent role in the escalating feud between An and Quan.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Frustrated with Saied’s power grabs, Tunisians are beginning to acknowledge his role in the escalating economic crisis and political stagnation plaguing their country.
—Sarah E. Yerkes, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The neo-noir psychological thriller is a great showcase for all three talents, especially as the tense cat-and-mouse game escalates to a startling climax.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalate 
Afp, Fortune Asia, 4 Nov. 2024
The balance between Chinese traditions and Western influence – smartly observed here, without the strongly nationalistic messaging that has become so common in Chinese cinema of late – plays a prominent role in the escalating feud between An and Quan.
—Richard Kuipers, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Frustrated with Saied’s power grabs, Tunisians are beginning to acknowledge his role in the escalating economic crisis and political stagnation plaguing their country.
—Sarah E. Yerkes, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
The neo-noir psychological thriller is a great showcase for all three talents, especially as the tense cat-and-mouse game escalates to a startling climax.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
-
Weight-bearing exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, and dancing, are great for increasing bone density.Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Her two top priorities for the district are fiscal transparency and increasing test scores.Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
But when compared to last year’s unreliable defense that failed to close out numerous close games, much less help accelerate blowouts, what the unit is doing this year is a breath of fresh air in Boulder.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
-
The technology is also transforming medical imaging and has been helpful in accelerating the drug discovery process.Nir Eisikovits, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The Orediggers entered Saturday ranked 10th in the region and need to rise into the top seven in order to reach the postseason.Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
-
Shares of the company rose more than 6% Friday morning before the market opened.Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Vice mayor Belal Aftab and councilmember Chuck Page, both members of the ad hoc committee on economic vitality, were in favor of advancing a pilot outdoor dining program that would allow Hero Ranch Kitchen restaurant to expand its outdoor dining with logistical support from city staff.Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Marrero’s plan relies heavily on using new or expanded enrollment zones, or boundaries that include multiple schools families can choose from rather than a single neighborhood school.Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
As the crowd of protesters began to swell at Aubervilliers, about a mile and half from the Stade de France, an image was circulating on social media of masked men in black holding bats.Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
-
Gout Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by sudden and severe pain, redness, and swelling in the joints.Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
This means installing lighting at multiple levels including ceiling lights, table and floor lamps, and wall sconces to augment any natural light.Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2024
-
For those on social media, there is a way to track election results that might be helpful as a way to augment major media coverage.John Brandon, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The launch intensifies competition in mobile AI as Google and Microsoft (MSFT-2.16%) vie for smartphone dominance.Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
-
These disparities in attitude will intensify as the war gets closer to an end and as Ukraine’s postwar status comes into sharper focus.Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The biggest prize for green groups came as voters approved Proposition 4, a statewide bond measure to provide $10 billion to thin forests to reduce wildfire risk, expand parks and open spaces, and boost water recycling, groundwater storage and stream restoration for wildlife.Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Trump's showing also boosted outcomes for Latino Republicans.Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near escalate
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share