escalate

verb

ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce escalate (audio)
Definition of escalatenext
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

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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 changes also escalated the trade war with China. — Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025 And in the face of unknowns about how much further measures could escalate, voices from Beijing appear calm. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025 The White House's move followed a sharp reaction from global financial markets, which had seen trillions in value wiped out due to fears of an escalating trade war. — Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025 The announcement came as markets continued to struggle, as escalating trade worries dented investors sentiment and raised worries of a recession. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
  1. increase
  2. accelerate
  3. rise
  4. expand
  5. swell
  6. augment
  7. intensify
  8. boost
Verb
  • The price of buying a foreign car could increase by anywhere between $5,000 to $15,000, Goldman Sachs estimates.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025
  • These tariffs directly increase costs for producers, particularly in the construction of drilling rigs and pipelines.
    — Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Business leaders obtain the necessary insights to reduce carbon and material usage, accelerate CSRD compliance, and accurately measure the financial and sustainability impact of their decisions.
    — Sophia Mendelsohn, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • President Trump’s sweeping and severe new tariffs on more than 180 countries prompted a sell-off in stock markets in the U.S. and abroad, raising investor alarm over looming trade wars and accelerating inflation as the levies threaten to increase prices for consumers.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • China’s tariffs would rise by one percentage point; the European Union’s would shift by even less.
    — Ben Blatt, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The rising Murphy was coming off wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige in 2024.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of rise
Verb
  • Not the Philippines, which believes its role as a manufacturing alternative to China can expand.
    — Zunaira Saieed, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In 2024, the league took concrete steps in that direction, expanding the number of international roster spots from five per team to seven.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of expand
Verb
  • The agency hopes the undertaking will accommodate population swells on Fort Worth’s western outskirts.
    — Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Before the pandemic, Jackson County Public Health had about 30 employees, but swelled to about 120 during the crisis.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Attention also could be paid to dismantling foreign anticompetitive market distortions, in order to augment the benefits achieved through the Task Force.
    — Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The rubber match has augmented stakes in a Tournament field with increasing parity.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of augment
Verb
  • Dimon's warning coincides with major turbulence in global bond markets and intensified fears of recession.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That dynamic intensified recently, starting with Westbrook’s meltdown against Minnesota on April 1 in which his late-game blunders cost Denver the win and spoiled Jokić’s 60-point triple-double.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • Athletes often supplement with creatine to help boost muscle growth and recovery.
    — Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The following foods, according to the NIH, are your best bet for boosting your omega-3 intake.
    — Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of boost

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escalate
escalated
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Cite this Entry

“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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