escalate

verb

es·ca·late ˈe-skə-ˌlāt

nonstandard

-skyə-

escalated; escalating

Synonyms of escalate next

intransitive verb

: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope

a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one—

Arnold Abrams

transitive verb

: expand sense 2

escalation

ˌe-skə-ˈlā-shən

nonstandard -skyə-

noun

escalatory

ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē

nonstandard -skyə-

adjective

Examples of escalate in a Sentence

The conflict has escalated into an all-out war. a time of escalating tensions We are trying not to escalate the violence. Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate. The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The situation escalated and the men assaulted Bissonnette both inside and outside of the restaurant, Scottsdale police confirmed. —

Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 14 Dec. 2024 Additionally, implementing clear protocols for identifying, documenting and escalating risks—such as detailed risk assessment frameworks and streamlined reporting channels—ensures no critical details are overlooked. —

Anushree Jain, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Advertisement What the forecast is more clear on, however, is a return of the hot, dry offshore winds that can quickly escalate a spark into an erratic fire, Sirard said — as soon as early next week. —

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Tensions also escalated between Drake and Thomas Doughty, one of his officers, over pilfering supplies. —

Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for escalate