escalate
verb (used with or without object)
to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc..
were escalating
-
past progressiveof escalate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
It also said costs were escalating across the industry.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2025
North Korea has said the drills were escalating military tensions.
From Reuters ● Jun. 16, 2023
Back in China, tensions were escalating over the government’s tightening hold on everyday life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
They said Friday during a call with reporters that they were escalating a previous request for advertisers to consider backing out if Musk scales back the company’s content moderation practices.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 4, 2022
Travelers returning from virus-besieged cruise ships were escalating demands for rapid test results in Atlanta.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 26, 2020
