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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
Otherwise, this jealousy can escalate into toxic behaviors, like guilt-tripping you for making plans that don’t include them.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Mar. 2025
Things escalated earlier this month when SIU became a new target for the right: A social media account known for targeting LGBTQ+ people and DEI initiatives, Libs of TikTok, posted about an SIU professor who had uploaded explicit photos of himself online.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
In fact, gold is a solid asset class, whose price has escalated through the years, and especially in times of unease.
—Larry Light, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Chicago Tribune His taxes risk igniting a broader global trade war with escalating retaliations that could crush global trade, potentially hurting economic growth while raising prices for families and businesses as some of the costs of the taxes get passed along by importers.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Mar. 2025
Things escalated earlier this month when SIU became a new target for the right: A social media account known for targeting LGBTQ+ people and DEI initiatives, Libs of TikTok, posted about an SIU professor who had uploaded explicit photos of himself online.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
In fact, gold is a solid asset class, whose price has escalated through the years, and especially in times of unease.
—Larry Light, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Chicago Tribune His taxes risk igniting a broader global trade war with escalating retaliations that could crush global trade, potentially hurting economic growth while raising prices for families and businesses as some of the costs of the taxes get passed along by importers.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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Insufficient protein intake accelerates sarcopenia, or muscle wasting, which in turn increases vulnerability to illness, injury, and functional decline.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Fortunately, a new moon will rise on April 27; therefore, resulting in dark skies and increasing the chance of visibility.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs Wednesday affecting all U.S. trading partners and imports, plowing ahead on a risky economic strategy that promises to further accelerate a global trade war and raise anxieties about higher consumer prices at home.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The rising Murphy was coming off wins over Edson Barboza and Dan Ige in 2024.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Louisville, Kentucky has already seen impacts on daily life as the Ohio River has risen over five feet over the last 24 hours – and it’s expected to rise significantly higher over the next two to three days, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday afternoon.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2025
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Several hours later, the judge expanded his order to prevent the Trump administration from deporting any migrants believed to be members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The audio swells into an overwhelming crescendo of sound as the musician’s name and the album title flash across the screen.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
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In November 2024, the actor and comedian told People that he was diagnosed in October after an upper respiratory infection caused swelling in his lymph nodes.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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The rubber match has augmented stakes in a Tournament field with increasing parity.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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But even as China’s drills have intensified, and its missiles, warships and fighter jets have advanced, many experts have doubted that the Chinese military could cross the Taiwan Strait with the speed and numbers needed for a successful invasion.—
Chris Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Athletes often supplement with creatine to help boost muscle growth and recovery.—
Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN,
Health,
8 Apr. 2025
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The following foods, according to the NIH, are your best bet for boosting your omega-3 intake.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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