escalated 1 of 2

as in increased
being at a higher level than average for a time there was an escalated interest in the historical figure following the release of the blockbuster biography

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

escalated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of escalate
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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 escalated
Verb
The attacks escalated Saturday, when a projectile struck a passenger terminal at the airport, officials said, killing at least 12 people and wounding more than 300. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026 The argument escalated, and the two men moved to another apartment, where one man was shot. — Celia Frazier, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, tensions between the school district and the Sacramento County Office of Education have escalated in recent months as the two agencies have disagreed over how the district should address its fiscal crisis. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 All the while, the growing need for trade roles across industries has escalated the shortage. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 Fighting escalated late last month, undermining the November 2022 peace agreement that ended a devastating two-year war. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 Officers arrived after a disturbance between two neighbors escalated to one man shooting another, police said. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 Dozens of protesters were seen on video clashing with law enforcement officers, at times pushing against barricades as tensions escalated. — Brittany Miller , Sandy Ibrahim , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 What began years ago as a war for influence in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia has now escalated to a challenge to maritime law rooted in guarantees for harmless passage of commercial ships. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for escalated
Adjective
  • On top of the complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, the card provides increased status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and Leaders Club Sterling Status (enrollment required; terms and limitations apply).
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Weather conditions act as wildcards, while increased demand remains a constant source of pressure.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Jim Bakker, televangelist who rose to fame and fell from grace, has died at 86.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • First-half box office rose 42% on last year, admissions rose 34%, and Korean films took 64% of revenue.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That prospect has also accelerated efforts to develop quantum-resistant cryptography.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Freestanding beauty stores’ openings will be accelerated in other countries.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In the late 19th century, the Devil’s Mile was an avatar of urban development—the site of an elevated train that cut a clamorous swath through the teeming neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Should interest rates remain elevated while corporate earnings growth fails to offset rising capital costs, companies may be forced to execute deep cuts in capital expenditure.
    — , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Further east, in the coastal province of Rayong abutting a major industrial belt, authorities ordered evacuations on Monday after flood waters swelled two reservoirs beyond their capacity.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In 2023, one of the wettest years in decades, the San Joaquin swelled to four miles wide at the site.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Degroote says Fox acquired the format after executives watched the French adaptation, which significantly expanded the scale of the original Norwegian concept.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hyun, who has made AI films including Crypto Man and Genfluencer, expanded on this topic.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That is a level higher than on other subjects such as fertility, at 54 percent, and menopause, at 48 percent.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The government said the strategy has boosted inbound tourism.
    — Damian Zane, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The law also boosted the federal deduction limit for state and local taxes, known as SALT, among other shifts.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/escalated. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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