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escalate

[es-kuh-leyt] / ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /


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.

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“Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2026

The atmosphere was tense and uncertain; no-one knows when the situation could escalate.

From BBC Aug. 3, 2026

If a customer leaves negative feedback or asks to escalate to a human, there is no charge.

From MarketWatch Aug. 1, 2026

Plans to escalate the campaign have been shelved in part because of those shrinking supplies, The New York Times reported, citing two people briefed on the matter.

From Barron's Jul. 26, 2026

Trying to figure out how not to have the situation escalate.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Responding to the figures, the MOJ said "public protection is our priority" and the statistics "show that we do not hesitate to recall offenders to prison when the risk escalates."

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

Visibility is limited, fear escalates quickly and decisions are made in split seconds.

From Salon Jul. 21, 2026

Read more: U.S. inflation rate escalates to three-year high.

From MarketWatch Jun. 2, 2026

The new summons, just weeks after Musk didn’t show up for a voluntary interview with French prosecutors, escalates a trans-Atlantic feud over France’s handling of its long-running probe of X.

From The Wall Street Journal May 7, 2026

A hum like a washing machine escalates in volume until I think my ears might burst.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Spain introduced new border checks on arrivals from Italy on Saturday, as a dispute between the two countries over migration policy escalated into a tit-for-tat that is testing the unity of the European Union.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 8, 2026

For its part, Ukraine has escalated its retaliatory strikes in recent months, including attacks on several retail warehouses belonging to Russia's biggest online retailer, Wildberries.

From BBC Aug. 1, 2026

His salary escalated each year, rising to $52.6 million last season.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 24, 2026

It comes as tensions have escalated between Washington and Iran, bringing traffic almost to a halt in the Strait of Hormuz and raising the risks of oil supply shortages once again.

From MarketWatch Jul. 22, 2026

As a result, space was no longer an issue, but other dangers escalated.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Turkey's foreign ministry said it was "deeply concerned about the escalating conflict" in the body of water.

From Barron's Aug. 8, 2026

An ugly family breakup is escalating ahead of an election deadline for the party to replace the Ohio congressman on the ballot.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 5, 2026

Doing so is crucial to holding together Paramount’s coalition of financiers and controlling its rising expenses, primarily legal fees and escalating obligations to Warner shareholders.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 31, 2026

But there are several different efforts racing to develop a vaccine for the previously rare strain in the hope of stemming the escalating outbreak.

From Barron's Jul. 30, 2026

Austria’s threats of war had set off an escalating chain reaction.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman




Vocabulary lists containing escalate


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