escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard
-skyə-
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope
a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one—
Arnold Abrams
Arnold AbramsSynonyms
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
Why This Matters The fires in Baja California closely resemble those in Los Angeles, underscoring the escalating wildfire risks across the southwestern region of North America.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
In January, the three-year conflict escalated dramatically, with M23 fighters capturing the territory in neighboring South Kivu province for the first time, and descending from positions in the lush hills around Goma to engage Congolese forces and allies in combat.
—Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the need for individual resolve has never been greater.
—Thais Lopez Vogel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
How did this escalate into this terrible violence and the loss of life?
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for escalate 
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Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
In January, the three-year conflict escalated dramatically, with M23 fighters capturing the territory in neighboring South Kivu province for the first time, and descending from positions in the lush hills around Goma to engage Congolese forces and allies in combat.
—Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the need for individual resolve has never been greater.
—Thais Lopez Vogel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
How did this escalate into this terrible violence and the loss of life?
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for escalate
Dictionary Entries Near escalate
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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escalate
verb
es·ca·late
ˈes-kə-ˌlāt
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, or scope : expand
escalate prices
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