ESCALATES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of escalate

as in increases

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accelerates

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

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 escalates The conflict between pragmatism and generosity begins at a small scale and incrementally escalates. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The finger-pointing escalates a long-standing argument between places led by Democrats and the federal government over federal immigration law – and who should help enforce it. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 News conference escalates family of Secoriea Turner’s fight over Rick Jackson campaign ads. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The situation escalates as the mariachi music begins playing and the couple approach a display of white roses and candles laid out on the grass. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 If the abuse escalates to hands around the neck, the odds of being killed increases by 750%, the Journal of Emergency Medicine says. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 When murder escalates from a scheme to action, her secret becomes an unbearable burden to carry. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 That information can then trigger a workflow that assigns the appropriate specialist, sets a deadline, monitors progress and escalates the issue when an exception occurs. — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The architectural design guidance starts with simple hooks but escalates to slim racks sized for pot lids, foil boxes and plastic wrap. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalates

Verb

If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Though this increases the X-Y dimensions, Apple worked closely with the system team to ensure the phones' internals could support this slightly larger package.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

Using this strategy, our team found that skeletal muscle memory accelerates muscle growth.

— Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
Communities are being asked to do more with less as climate change accelerates, and the skills needed to care for these places are being lost.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

The National Weather Service said rainfall was diminishing in the area but that rapid river rises and flooding remained possible.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
How to see the Taurid meteor showers Both showers appear to originate from Taurus, a constellation that rises during the evening and climbs higher into the sky as the night progresses.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

Even without their local ties, Gash are a shoe-in at Eaux Claires, the Wisconsin music festival founded by Justin Vernon that expands on the experimental curiosity and unhurried approach at the heart of Bon Iver’s latter career.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
The presentation comes as Netflix separately expands its AI ambitions, including its acquisition of Ben Affleck’s filmmaking technology company InterPositive.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

These wetlands, connected to the river, act as natural reservoirs that absorb and hold water, especially when the river swells with meltwater or heavy rain.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Each month, roughly a dozen are consistently in the audience, though the number swells depending on the agenda.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of swells

Verb

Flax seed extract, another key ingredient in the formula, boosts the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels to keep it hydrated.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
This slow-release organic fertilizer boosts soil structure, improves water retention in sandy soils, and prevents erosion and runoff in heavy rains.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of boosts

Verb

Forest and land fires in Indonesia have worsened this year as El Niño intensifies a prolonged dry season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The warning was downgraded late Sunday night to an advisory, meaning residents should still be on high alert in the event that activity intensifies again.

— Austin Turner, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensifies

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escalated

escalates

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“Escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalates. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of escalates

verb

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