escalate
verb
, nonstandard -skyə-
\
Definition of escalate
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Other Words from escalate
, nonstandard -skyə- \
noun
, nonstandard -skyə- \
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for escalate
Synonyms
accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
Antonyms
contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane
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Examples of escalate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As re-imposed and escalated U.S. sanctions kicked in, further hurting Iran’s virtually moribund economy, Iran lost billions of dollars in business deals allowed by the nuclear accord. — Washington Post, "EU insists Iran nuclear deal must be part of any future pact," 31 Aug. 2019 The monthslong trade war escalated earlier this month when China unveiled new levies on $75 billion worth of U.S. products. — NBC News, "Dow rises 350 points after China says it wants trade talks," 29 Aug. 2019 This is a not-so-subtle commentary on reality TV and its penchant for escalating drama and extreme intrusiveness, but also cancel culture and social media mob justice, which takes everything out of context and judges based on sparse information. — Hanna Kozlowska, Quartzy, "A new thriller novel offers up twisted scenarios of the tech revolution gone wrong," 28 Aug. 2019 This coup de théâtre comes after intense French diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict with Iran escalating. — The Economist, "G7 leaders discuss climate change, economics, Russia and Iran," 25 Aug. 2019 Under this reasoning, a person can brandish a weapon to prevent the imminent use of force from escalating to a threat of imminent death. — David French, National Review, "A Michigan Court Case Shows the Right of Armed Self-Defense Is Broader Than You Might Think," 21 Aug. 2019 Between 2017 and June 2019, more than 230 incidents of hateful propaganda were reported in communities across Texas — a phenomenon that has dramatically escalated this year, according to the Anti-Defamation League. — Brittany Britto, ExpressNews.com, "Racist flyers found on Texas college campus," 20 Aug. 2019 The danger is especially high for people who go in repeatedly, because first offenses are for a few days, but the time of punishment escalates from there. — Ken Silverstein, The New Republic, "Shock Corridor," 19 Aug. 2019 The Hong Kong police have responded to the protests with escalating brutality, firing tear gas inside subway stations and firing rubber bullets directly at crowds. — Karen Chu, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hong Kong Protestors Call for Disney Boycott After 'Mulan' Star Voices Support for Police Crackdown," 16 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'escalate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for escalate
escalate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of escalate
See the full definition for escalate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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