escalate
verb (used with or without object)
to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc..
escalated
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past participleof escalate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof escalate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
escalateverb (used with or without object)to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc..
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.
Kernel, a leading sunflower oil and grain exporter, also halted its operations at Chornomorsk as the Russian attacks escalated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
By then, the protests had escalated from public anger about the leak of exam papers into some of the biggest anti-government demonstrations India had seen in years.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 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
In June 2004, the tensions toward my people escalated quickly.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
