escalate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We are trying to calm the streets to make sure things don’t escalate further,” said Razi El Hage, a Lebanese Forces member of parliament representing the area.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Hitting Kuwait signaled a willingness to escalate but without hitting more sensitive sites in the Gulf’s more powerful states that have previously struck back against Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
“Failures involving storage tanks or containment systems can escalate into large-scale public safety emergencies within minutes,” Filippo Marchino, founder and managing partner of the X-Law Group, said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
After Larissa is missing overnight without her medication, officers escalate the search to “high risk”.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
“And you were trying to hurt their feelings. That’s the problem with stuff like this—everyone keeps trying to top one another, and then things escalate out of control.”
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
Vocabulary lists containing escalate
This Week in Words: September 25 - October 1, 2017
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This Week in Words: October 22 - 27, 2017
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Higher Learning: Synonyms For "Up"
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