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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
This behavior could spark dry grass along the road and escalate into a wildfire.
—
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
The report highlights Iran’s escalating reliance on technology to monitor and punish women defying the mandatory dress code.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
The controversy continues to escalate as political and legal battles over DEI policies shape the future of American higher education.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Trump threatens 200% tariff on EU wine, tariffs are pushing away allies; What’s the upside
Robby Soave and Lynda Tran discuss the retaliatory tariffs announced by Canada and E.U., escalating President Trump’s trade war.
—The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2025
The report highlights Iran’s escalating reliance on technology to monitor and punish women defying the mandatory dress code.
—Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
The controversy continues to escalate as political and legal battles over DEI policies shape the future of American higher education.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Trump threatens 200% tariff on EU wine, tariffs are pushing away allies; What’s the upside
Robby Soave and Lynda Tran discuss the retaliatory tariffs announced by Canada and E.U., escalating President Trump’s trade war.
—The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Weather experts predict that the tornadoes will increase to a strength of EF4 by Saturday, with hurricane-force winds at a speed of more than 74 mph, CNN reported.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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United, a club who had the gas cut off at Bank Street, so impoverished were they, now had a stadium to fit the increasing industry and prosperity of the area.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Probably the most significant factor is the company's ever-present pressure to accelerate, even while taking on more and more challenging tasks.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
10 Mar. 2025
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If Ukraine and the U.S. reach an understanding acceptable to Trump, that could accelerate his administration’s push to peace talks.—
Matthew Lee and Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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FactSet consensus estimates called for prices to rise 0.3% from January and 2.9% annually.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
12 Mar. 2025
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Economists polled by Dow Jones expected CPI to have risen 0.3% and 2.9%, respectively.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But eight weeks in, the mass deportation effort has rapidly expanded to include immigrants whose application for legal status in the country is under review.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
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Its leaders are looking for ways to expand by reaching out to a changing community.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In some cases, your body may recognize the hyaluronic acid in fillers as a foreign substance that also requires an immune response, leading to swelling, nodules or other inflammatory reactions.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2025
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Protests unite Just after 6:30 pm, Clark’s crowd was swelling with a few dozen protesters from the Free Palestine rally.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is the first of a new type of rideshare program flying to that orbit that augments SpaceX’s Transporter program that flies to SSO.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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The key is using AI to augment decision-making, not replace it.—
Zehra Soysal,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But that pressure has been intensified by the Trump administration – especially on the offshore wind industry.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
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One reason is likely intensifying EV competition, especially from companies like China’s BYD.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Another key factor in Panther’s expansion are Cambodia’s several trade agreements, which are expected to boost the company’s export sector throughout the year.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
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From the use of AI tools to boost brand safety to the live tracking of ad placements, there are myriad ways to ensure ad placements strengthen brand integrity while maximizing campaign effectiveness.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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