escalate

verb

es·​ca·​late ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce escalate (audio)
nonstandard
-skyə- How to pronounce escalate (audio)
escalated; escalating
Synonyms of escalate

intransitive verb

: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope
… a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one …—Mike Mansfield

transitive verb

: expand sense 2
escalation
ˌe-skə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce escalate (audio)
nonstandard -skyə-
noun
escalatory
ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce escalate (audio)
nonstandard -skyə-
adjective

Synonyms of escalate

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Examples of escalate in a Sentence

The conflict has escalated into an all-out war. a time of escalating tensions We are trying not to escalate the violence. Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate. The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Iranian diplomats said Tehran was close to reaching a new arrangement with Oman to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a deal critical to preventing the war from escalating further, according to the Financial Times. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 This regulatory push stems from AI becoming a public concern, declining trust, escalating cyber risks, IPO demands, and the US's need to establish its leadership position. — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Ukraine, meanwhile, has escalated its retaliatory strikes on Russia in recent months, partly to pressure Moscow to the negotiating table after nearly four-and-a-half years of war. — CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 In 2021, that contention escalated sharply after Spain allowed Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front to enter the country for medical treatment. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for escalate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from escalator

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of escalate was in 1944

Phrases Containing escalate

Rhymes for escalate

See All Rhymes for escalate

Browse Nearby Words

escalado
escalate
escalation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escalate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

escalate

verb
es·​ca·​late ˈes-kə-ˌlāt How to pronounce escalate (audio)
escalated; escalating
: to increase in extent, volume, or scope : expand
escalate prices
escalation
ˌes-kə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce escalate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on escalate

Nglish: Translation of escalate for Spanish Speakers

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