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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
The Knicks' starters have a negative rating throughout the postseason, but everything has escalated during this series with Indiana.
—
Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
Despite clearly communicating her dietary restrictions to her mother-in-law, the situation has escalated to a point where family dinners have become filled with tension and conflict.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 May 2025
The verbal altercation quickly escalated when the victim exited his vehicle, and the offender, who remained inside his own car, pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at the man.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
This cultural suppression continued for decades, as political unrest escalated and the state’s grip on artistic expression tightened.
—Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
Despite clearly communicating her dietary restrictions to her mother-in-law, the situation has escalated to a point where family dinners have become filled with tension and conflict.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 May 2025
The verbal altercation quickly escalated when the victim exited his vehicle, and the offender, who remained inside his own car, pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at the man.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
This cultural suppression continued for decades, as political unrest escalated and the state’s grip on artistic expression tightened.
—Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2025
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Tacoma did its own analysis and found that people with a regular housing voucher, and no time limit, actually fared better at increasing their incomes and moving on.—
Jennifer Ludden,
NPR,
7 June 2025
Verb
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This only accelerates degradation and forces the team into more (and sometimes earlier, as in Imola) pit stops.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Chronic stress can accelerate aging and exacerbate existing health disparities.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Verb
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This could further exacerbate the challenges facing first-time homebuyers in the state, who are struggling to get on the property ladder due to historically high mortgage rates, rising prices, and growing housing costs.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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Keeler isn’t the first Notre Dame graduate to rise in the Navy ranks.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The move also expands its compost footprint in the Southeast.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2025
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Blockchain, once synonymous with cryptocurrency, is expanding into areas like secure transactions and transparent supply chains.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Sinusitis, which means inflammation of the sinuses, can result in pain, tenderness or even swelling in or around different parts of your face and head such as your eyes, ears, cheeks, forehead, mouth, teeth, throat and head in general as well.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Untold pieces of protest art also were created in public spaces across the U.S. – from murals honoring Floyd, to calls for justice and support for the Black Lives Matter movement, which swelled in the wake of Floyd's death.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Sperling initially designs his work in black and white, later adding color to augment his vision.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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That motor augments the rider's pedaling power up to a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph), automatically triggered by a torque sensor on the bike's crankset.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions have highlighted the fragility of our food systems and have intensified competition while simultaneously opening new markets.—
Persa Sakellaridi,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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In New York City, activists have intensified their efforts to protest the rising number of migrant deportations, staging multiple demonstrations in opposition of the administration’s controversial moves against immigrants.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Rainbow berry jam Berries are filled with polyphenols, which are antioxidants found in plants that can help defend against inflammation and boost cell health.—
Michiko Tomioka,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
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The southern and eastern portions of the region known previously as the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir became two separate union territories, bringing them under direct control of New Delhi – a move Modi claimed would promote stability, reduce corruption and boost the economy.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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