Synonyms of escalates

escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of escalate

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increases
• rises
• accelerates
• swells
• expands
• intensifies
• climbs
• multiplies
• proliferates
• waxes
• accumulates
• spreads
• enlarges
• surges
• snowballs
• mounts
• mushrooms
• rolls up
• heightens
• booms
• appreciates
• jumps
• gains
• builds up
• burgeons
• balloons
• skyrockets
• redoubles
• inflates
• distends
• rockets
• puffs (up)
• peaks
• bulks
• crests
• crescendoes
• blows up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• diminishes
• lessens
• recedes
• wanes
• contracts
• dwindles

2

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

• increases
• accelerates
• expands
• boosts
• augments
• raises
• multiplies
• extends
• intensifies
• enhances
• amplifies
• adds (to)
• reinforces
• swells
• enlarges
• maximizes
• stokes
• strengthens
• ups
• compounds
• builds up
• aggrandizes
• hypes
• heightens
• develops
• supersizes
• pumps up
• lengthens
• jumps
• inflates
• prolongs
• skyrockets
• spikes
• dilates
• supplements
• distends
• elongates
• complements
• stretches
• bumps (up)
• booms
• draws out
• magnifies
• accumulates
• protracts
• blows up
• ratchets (up)
• fleshes (out)
• amasses
• rachets (up)
• collects
• beefs (up)
• follows up
• parlays

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decreases
• reduces
• diminishes
• lessens
• lowers
• abates
• dwindles
• downsizes
• subtracts (from)
• shortens
• curtails
• de-escalates
• abbreviates
• abridges
• compresses
• minifies
• condenses
• constricts
• contracts
• retrenches
• cuts back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of escalates

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

An attacker gains initial access, establishes persistence, escalates privileges, moves laterally and eventually achieves an objective such as data theft or disruption. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Further complications ensue as Wyatt and Kai’s flirtation escalates in ways that are supposed to make viewers feel uncomfortable, but not grossed out. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Washington should push Riyadh to negotiate before its conflict with the Houthis escalates further and sends the price of energy even higher—or threatens the stability of Saudi Arabia itself. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026