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
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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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Recent Examples of escalate
During the event, the President of the Government made a new announcement on housing, and highlighted access to housing as a key issue within the legislature, in the midst of escalating property prices, especially in large cities.
—
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
However, her decision only escalated the tension between the two women.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Our failure to pivot away from the consumer welfare standard has cost untold wealth over the past century, and the damage will only escalate without a pivot.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Their defensive responses often trigger chain reactions of escalating blame, drawing others into their conflict narrative.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for escalate 
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025
However, her decision only escalated the tension between the two women.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Our failure to pivot away from the consumer welfare standard has cost untold wealth over the past century, and the damage will only escalate without a pivot.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Their defensive responses often trigger chain reactions of escalating blame, drawing others into their conflict narrative.
—Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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The trail system would increase local connectivity, promote walkable transportation options, and support safety and regular maintenance via county and volunteer patrols, according to the website.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2025
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Investment in women's health is increasing, from VC to private equity.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account The emergence of cloud-native architectures further accelerated this transformation.—
Srikanta Datta,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
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Nearly three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war is accelerating Ukraine’s rapid depopulation, exacerbating a demographic crisis that has been deepening for three decades.—
Howard LaFranchi,
The Christian Science Monitor,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Mortgage rates have risen for four consecutive weeks to reach the highest level since July.—
PAUL WISEMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
11 Jan. 2025
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The Mega Millions jackpot has risen to $95 million for Tuesday's drawing after no one won the top prize on Friday.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Since then, his portfolio of restaurants has expanded across the Charlotte metro area.—
Laura Barrero,
Axios,
15 Jan. 2025
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Preserving, nature, history, and culture for future generations All told, Biden created 10 new national monuments and expanded 2 others during his term, tying him for eighth place, with William Taft, for the most monuments designated by a president.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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His vision blurred and his eyes swelled in the smoke.—
Eli Saslow,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
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Since 2020, though, those ripples have seemed more like swelling and crashing waves in the wake of the pandemic.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk has long sought to augment his Silicon Valley celebrity with gamer cred, professing both skill and passion for a medium favored by tech geeks.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2025
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Lidar is also being augmented by more sensors and AI to help robot vacuums better understand your home.—
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy,
The Verge,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Big Ten-SEC rivalry is about to intensify as the external factors dictating both conferences’ strategies change, and the Big Ten perhaps is in a better position to succeed than at any time in the last 50 years.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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Banks are on a winning streak, one that’s poised to intensify as President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office.—
Jeanna Smialek,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The festival is expected to boost the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s past record of promoting Hindu cultural symbols for its support base.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
13 Jan. 2025
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The Supreme Court’s early indications boosted the shares of companies behind rival platforms, but shares of Oracle, which hosts U.S. TikTok data, tanked 5% Friday.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near escalate
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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