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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of escalate
The panelists emphasized that when emotional intelligence is missing, even routine matters can escalate.
—
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
The property racked up 22 citations in the last four years, three of which escalated to charges against the key officers of the company that owns it.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Police in Nassau County on Long Island, New York, said on Tuesday night they were called to a East Norwich home where a verbal argument between Agnello and his girlfriend allegedly escalated into a physical fight.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 June 2026
However, things quickly escalated.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
The property racked up 22 citations in the last four years, three of which escalated to charges against the key officers of the company that owns it.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
Police in Nassau County on Long Island, New York, said on Tuesday night they were called to a East Norwich home where a verbal argument between Agnello and his girlfriend allegedly escalated into a physical fight.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 June 2026
However, things quickly escalated.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
-
Since then, the damage has increased at an alarming rate, and many residents fear the end is near for the 53-year-old structure.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The recent strikes have increased the strain on the fragile truce between Washington and Tehran.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s another bill that doesn’t include her name because a Senate version of the legislation, which was designed to accelerate biomedical research, is what eventually passed, Owens said.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The consumer demand, in both African domestic markets and globally, is documented and accelerating.—
Lisa Curtis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Airlines have faced rising fuel costs as the conflict in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies and increased energy prices.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The deal with Curry, who is a household name in China, is expected to further boost Li-Ning’s popularity in the country and help expand the brand’s market share in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Behind the glass sat a sea-foam green Hermes 3000, a pre-1966 model, instantly recognizable by its bulbous body and soft, swelling curves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Lucas Mukasa / Anadolu via Getty Images Angry protests swelled Monday, including in the central town of Nanyuki, which is set to host the quarantine center.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Liquid fuel rockets will always have their inherent limitations, as will any systems that hope to augment or replace them.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
-
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,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
By contrast, William Mott’s Chief Wallabee’s role in the race can be boosted by his post position, and the trainer has added blinkers this evening to help his athlete’s concentration when the going gets tough.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
But depending on how much healthcare costs rise and boost Medicare spending, that threshold could come much sooner.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Similar concerns were raised about the merger of the SAG and AFTRA health plans in 2017, which was followed by a significant curtailment in benefits a few years later.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 June 2026
-
Set to retail for $5,385, discounts were offered to those who preordered the trolley as part of a crowdfunding drive that raised roughly $1 million.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
