as in increased
being at a higher level than average
for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in rose
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerated
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
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Recent Examples of escalated
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Israel urged Palestinians to leave several areas of Gaza City as its military campaign in the enclave escalated.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
An argument in the checkout line at Publix escalated to felony assault when a man waited in the parking lot to attack a couple with bug spray, according to investigators in Florida.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Tensions escalated as the police response became increasingly aggressive.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
After a brief pause, the messages resumed in September 2021 and escalated into thousands of vile and threatening text messages sent over the next 15 months.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
But Tchervinski, who is White, also was seen in a cellphone video appearing to slap a Black man in the face during a confrontation in the street, which escalated into a physical fight.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
The situation escalated when her ex’s wife confronted her directly.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
As nationwide protests escalated across the world’s third largest democracy last week, Subianto during the weekend summoned the country’s prominent figures and canceled a high-profile trip to China.
—Niniek Karmini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
But things escalated when the other woman crossed a line.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Israel urged Palestinians to leave several areas of Gaza City as its military campaign in the enclave escalated.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
An argument in the checkout line at Publix escalated to felony assault when a man waited in the parking lot to attack a couple with bug spray, according to investigators in Florida.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Tensions escalated as the police response became increasingly aggressive.
—Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
After a brief pause, the messages resumed in September 2021 and escalated into thousands of vile and threatening text messages sent over the next 15 months.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
But Tchervinski, who is White, also was seen in a cellphone video appearing to slap a Black man in the face during a confrontation in the street, which escalated into a physical fight.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
The situation escalated when her ex’s wife confronted her directly.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
As nationwide protests escalated across the world’s third largest democracy last week, Subianto during the weekend summoned the country’s prominent figures and canceled a high-profile trip to China.
—Niniek Karmini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Their raptor-like beaks have adapted to include a large nasal passage that allows increased airflow, giving these scavengers the ability to detect decaying matter from miles away.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Those along the East Coast would be particularly affected by the major rise in sea levels if the AMOC collapses, facing increased and extreme flooding, even in the absence of storms.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That increase was fueled largely by national revenue — television, licensing and sponsorship proceeds shared equally among the 32 franchises — which rose to an average of $433 million per team from $403 million the previous season, according to league executives.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In the second quarter, sales rose 14 percent, compared with growth of 12 percent in the first quarter.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The independent brand picked up momentum in secondary channels in May, when turnover rose to 36 percent and accelerated further in June, peaking at 43 percent.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In addition, Borenstein has accelerated the brand’s progress toward its sustainability commitments, including climate-positive by 2025 and a new commitment to be fully circular by 2030.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The service may be unique due to the lie-flat seats, but Twiliner is not the first to introduce an elevated bus experience.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Mencer and Grobmyer traveled to the nation's capital as farms and other operations continue to struggle with low crop prices and elevated production costs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Following the surgery, his body swelled dangerously, and his lungs collapsed, forcing doctors to place him on a ventilator.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The ranks have swelled to four teams with the addition of the Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tesla's board has urged shareholders to vote against a proposal calling for a political neutrality policy, which would have expanded board oversight of Musk's political activities.—
Akash Sriram,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In recent years, Chanel has expanded its support for cinema, which now encompasses everything from costume design to film restoration, in addition to initiatives geared at fostering the next generation of movie directors.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
China also has its Tianwen-1 orbiter, which carries a high-resolution camera comparable to that of MRO.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Revenue softness from tax cuts, coupled with a higher import bill due to currency weakness, could affect the fiscal consolidation of Asia's second-largest economy.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Silksong just passed up yesterday’s 562,000 concurrent Steam playercount record, a stunning number for a $20 indie game, though obviously boosted by its mythological status after seven years of waiting from fans.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The inability, or decision not, to sell players who would have boosted the club’s spending power is a subjective call made by United’s key decision-makers that will never sit right with some supporters.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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