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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of escalate
Beijing, which has struggled to regain economic momentum amid a housing crisis and tepid consumer confidence, says escalating the trade tiff will worsen inflation for American consumers—a scenario Trump ruled out last month.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The address comes amid global controversy over U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia, an escalating trade war, and efforts by his administration to drastically cut the size of the federal government.
—Nr Staff, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025
Mike Quinn, who has dedicated 30 years to the village’s Public Works Department, said this is the first time in his tenure a contract dispute has escalated to a strike.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
As the government grew in size after the 1930s, that antipathy only escalated, especially as conservatives rose in power in the 1970s and 1980s.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
The address comes amid global controversy over U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Russia, an escalating trade war, and efforts by his administration to drastically cut the size of the federal government.
—Nr Staff, National Review, 3 Mar. 2025
Mike Quinn, who has dedicated 30 years to the village’s Public Works Department, said this is the first time in his tenure a contract dispute has escalated to a strike.
—Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
As the government grew in size after the 1930s, that antipathy only escalated, especially as conservatives rose in power in the 1970s and 1980s.
—Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made By History, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalate
Verb
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The proposal would increase the budget of the seven SODCs by about $28 million, or almost 5%.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
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Israel has also increased public funding for projects by Israeli filmmakers from West Bank settlements — the very enterprise that the film No Other Land criticizes as taking over Palestinian homes and land.—
Nuha Musleh,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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If an earlier breakthrough occurs: Should a major quantum attack capability emerge earlier than expected, the bitcoin community can accelerate the above timeline.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Graffiti, street stickers, and paintings dot the streets, suggesting that millions of Berliners bike through an invisible Fourth Reich that is rising all around them.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Success in this new landscape depends on maintaining high-quality standards while effectively harnessing AI's capabilities to enhance and expand data resources.—
Deepak Yadav,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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These actions are leaving the U.S. vulnerable despite years of evidence that Russia is committed to continuing and expanding its cyber efforts, according to Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a nonprofit that has studied technology’s impact on democracy.—
David Klepper,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The imbalance swelled to a record $131.4 billion in January, a 34% increase from the prior month and nearly double from a year ago.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2025
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Also known as Triple E, the virus swells the brain, and kills about one in three patients.—
Denise Hruby,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Conrad called steel guitarist Justin Schipper in to augment the band the next day at The Smoakstack, a studio loaded with guitars — and ceramic figures — in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
27 Feb. 2025
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Possibilities include accelerating drug discovery, augmenting preclinical or clinical research, predicting potential product quality issues and optimizing testing protocols.—
Aman Wasan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Furthermore, competition in the search space could intensify, as Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent are developing their own large language models, potentially challenging Baidu’s market position.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Fighting has intensified in recent months, with government forces gaining ground against the RSF in Khartoum and other regions.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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By creating spaces that engage multiple senses and encourage participation, businesses can inspire deeper connections, boost brand loyalty, and unlock new revenue streams.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Even before jumping into the race, Cuomo collected an endorsement from Rep. Ritchie Torres, who is eyeing a run for governor next year, and several of his associates have launched super PACs that plan to spend millions of dollars on boosting his candidacy with ads and other outreach efforts.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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