1
as in increasing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accelerating
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 escalating
As Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting leader on Monday, rights group warned of escalating repression, with checkpoints being erected around the country, amid reports of price gouging and growing hunger.
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Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
The season ended with the gang war in Kingstown escalating to a violent climax in the finale.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
Investors also have to consider escalating geopolitical tensions.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Dish Network has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Disney in an escalating legal battle over Sling TV‘s first-of-its-kind short-term offerings, which allow users to sign up for as little as one day at a fraction of the full monthly subscription cost.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
According to The Times, the documentary covers allegations that Chase, who had become frustrated with his character’s escalating bigotry and a scene in which the character uses a hand puppet wearing blackface, said a racial slur when asking whether his character would be made to say it next.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2026
There is a cacophony of voices shouting different, competing demands as ideological divides produce escalating culture wars.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Maduro began his third term amid widespread international non-recognition and escalating repression.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalating
Verb
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Despite his efforts, violence has continued to escalate with police increasing patrols and surveillance in Puerto Lopez following recent massacres in the province, the Associated Press said.—
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Progress in robotics, according to PNDbotics, depends less on increasing complexity and more on tighter integration between hardware and intelligence.—
Verb
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The suspect was accelerating and weaving to try to shake the officer off.—
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Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Verb
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His ability to handle all this now, the rising fame and the expectation to be the best, is because his dad taught him how to always find his center.—
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Even in states like Texas, which opted not to expand its Medicaid program and continued to rely on counties to care for many of its uninsured, rising health care costs are straining local budgets.—
Verb
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Last summer, her Hulu documentary Call Her Alex premiered, and she's also spent the year expanding her Unwell Hydration beverage line with new caffeinated beverages.—
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Backed by nearly $180 billion in venture capital and rapid growth in AI, fintech, and health tech, the sector is expanding New York’s tax base, attracting top talent, and fueling long-term economic growth.—
Verb
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Per BrightOcular, potential complications include infections, high pressure in the eye, glaucoma, inflammation of the iris, swelling in the cornea, loss of cells around the cornea, deterioration of the iris and more.—
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Arthritis refers to swelling in the joints.—
Verb
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In addition to executing the oxygen facial, McLeod-Valentine delivered the earliest iteration of his now-signature facial massage, meant to lymphatically drain the face to emphasize a client’s facial structure while boosting skin radiance and hydration before a major red carpet appearance.—
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Chia Seed Pudding With Berries Make this rich in protein and extra creamy by combining 3 tablespoons of omega-3-boosting chia seeds with one-half cup of unsweetened soy milk, and one-fourth cup of plain Greek yogurt to get some probiotic benefits.—
Verb
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Liquidating talent is a short-term accounting trick; augmenting talent is a long-term growth strategy.—
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On his last record, Reduction of Man, Jaffe inverted his approach, triggering events for his group to respond to rather than augmenting his own playing.—
Cite this Entry
“Escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalating. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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