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
Examples 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 escalated
Kevin Gu, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The peaceful gathering quickly escalated into violent clashes as protesters and officers engaged in running altercations through the city's streets.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Iran has meanwhile been hamstrung by its war with Israel, which has escalated dramatically in the past year.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
The tension escalated further when Pickens became involved in a scuffle with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome during the game's final play.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
The confrontation escalated as the two continued to exchange blows near the retaining wall separating the field from the stands until security and stadium staff had to step in to break them up.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Brandon Boyd’s family has called for accountability for the shooting, saying police escalated the situation by using a flash-bang.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Since a yearlong Russian counteroffensive escalated this fall, however, the loss rate increased—a lot.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
What began as protests to demand more political freedoms, escalated into a complex war involving multiple rebel groups and international forces.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
In North America, the frequency and severity of construction site fires have escalated in recent years, prompting industry professionals and regulators to take action.
—Kevin Gu, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
The peaceful gathering quickly escalated into violent clashes as protesters and officers engaged in running altercations through the city's streets.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Iran has meanwhile been hamstrung by its war with Israel, which has escalated dramatically in the past year.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
The tension escalated further when Pickens became involved in a scuffle with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome during the game's final play.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
The confrontation escalated as the two continued to exchange blows near the retaining wall separating the field from the stands until security and stadium staff had to step in to break them up.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Brandon Boyd’s family has called for accountability for the shooting, saying police escalated the situation by using a flash-bang.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Since a yearlong Russian counteroffensive escalated this fall, however, the loss rate increased—a lot.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
What began as protests to demand more political freedoms, escalated into a complex war involving multiple rebel groups and international forces.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
-
If temperatures fall too low, freezing can occur, whereas temperatures that are too high can result in an increased metabolism, leading to slow starvation.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Fitness trackers, smartphone apps, and pedometers can facilitate tracking and encourage increased steps.Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD, Health, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Viewing time of sports content via TV sets rose 30% in 2024 compared with 2023, YouTube said.Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Under his leadership, the company’s profits rose to more than $16 billion last year from $12 billion in 2021.Amy Julia Harris, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Its timing was likely accelerated by the recent events at CAA.Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Meanwhile, import volumes may also recover in the short term, as accelerated fiscal spending boosts demand for industrial commodities, Huang said.Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The late November support test came on elevated trading volume.Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Trump's pledge to lower interest rates and ease financial burdens on American families faces an uncertain future as many economists predict that interest rates may remain elevated for the foreseeable future.Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Since then, the enterprise has enlarged its product range to 32 items and expanded to other US areas with a prominent Polish-American population.Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The wildfire ignited Monday and has expanded at an alarming rate, burning more than 3,000 acres with 0% containment and destroying at least seven structures.Alexandra Banner, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
City schools officials sent out the waivers in response to the state’s decision, in an effort to avoid having to cover the higher costs.Claire Fahy, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024
-
Rather than planning for consistently lower flows under climate change, panelists said, Colorado River managers should plan for higher variability in flows.Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Now, they’re being augmented by software innovations, AI, robotics and advanced technologies that are dramatically evolving North America’s industrial base.Chris Turlica, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
-
But, for Yankees fans of a certain age, consider making these part of a memorabilia array, augmented by baseball cards or other related collectibles.Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near escalated
Cite this Entry
“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share