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
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The dispute over the ballot seizure in Riverside County, which began last month, escalated this week as Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the court to step in and Sheriff Chad Bianco doubled down by taking more ballots from a county election office.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
According to Fetzer, the situation escalated a few miles later near a Shake Shack, where the driver and several others exited their vehicles and confronted the cyclists.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These concerns intensified after the Arab Spring uprisings and escalated with the rise of militant organizations such as the Islamic State group.
—Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Instead of cowing Iran, the Israeli strike escalated the war.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
After 30 days, an unpaid $100 speed-camera violation can be escalated into an actual speeding citation, which can mean a higher fee and even points on a driver’s license.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Orbán, seen as the Kremlin’s biggest EU advocate, has blocked EU aid to Ukraine and escalated anti-Ukraine messaging ahead of April parliamentary elections.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Iran has escalated attacks on its Gulf neighbors since Israel bombed its massive South Pars offshore natural gas field, while keeping a stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil and other critical goods are transported.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
The initial investigation indicated that an argument had happened between two male passengers that escalated into a physical altercation, police said.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The dispute over the ballot seizure in Riverside County, which began last month, escalated this week as Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the court to step in and Sheriff Chad Bianco doubled down by taking more ballots from a county election office.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
According to Fetzer, the situation escalated a few miles later near a Shake Shack, where the driver and several others exited their vehicles and confronted the cyclists.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
These concerns intensified after the Arab Spring uprisings and escalated with the rise of militant organizations such as the Islamic State group.
—Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Instead of cowing Iran, the Israeli strike escalated the war.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
After 30 days, an unpaid $100 speed-camera violation can be escalated into an actual speeding citation, which can mean a higher fee and even points on a driver’s license.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Orbán, seen as the Kremlin’s biggest EU advocate, has blocked EU aid to Ukraine and escalated anti-Ukraine messaging ahead of April parliamentary elections.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Iran has escalated attacks on its Gulf neighbors since Israel bombed its massive South Pars offshore natural gas field, while keeping a stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil and other critical goods are transported.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
Curtis Reigh, one of nine Republicans running for county commissioner, also cited the lack of public comment at board meetings as a reason for increased interest among candidates, including younger contenders.—
Rhiannon Evans,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Allergy season brings airborne irritants, which include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen that trigger immune responses, which cause increased swelling.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once North Carolina fired Hubert Davis after five seasons, Billy Donovan immediately rose to the top of the list of favorites to become the next head coach of the storied program.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While consumers worldwide face steep price hikes, Brazilian gasoline prices rose just 5% in March — compared to 30% in the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decline has accelerated sharply in recent weeks, with net approval dropping roughly 5 points over a short span.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Not everything should be accelerated equally.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On Shabbat, the Acheinu, a prayer for liberating those held in captivity, was recited from the bimah, an elevated platform where sermons are often delivered.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Formed in 1949, the alliance initially included 12 countries, but has swelled to 32 members.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But this winter, despite the thin and vanishing snowpack, the Black River swelled.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The war in Iran and the ensuing collapse in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has driven more cargo to Pakistani ports and effectively expanded their role in wider trade throughout South and Southeast Asia.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To help financially vulnerable property owners get through taxes, Bristol offers senior volunteer tax credits and senior circuit-breaker programs, and has expanded its veterans tax exemptions.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An assembly of planets moves through your ninth house, putting travel, expansion, and higher purpose at the center of your month.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Strus went on to enter halftime with a game-high 22 points.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This time, there were more events scheduled − 3,300 versus 2,700 − and larger crowds reported in some places, boosted in part by opposition to the war in Iran.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Featuring the dynamic duo of vitamin C and retinol, boosted by the power of vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and salicylic acid, along with soothing organic aloe vera, squalane, hyaluronic acid, MSM and rose hip oil to rejuvenate, nourish and target uneven skin tone.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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