escalate

[es-kuh-leyt]

verb (used with or without object)

escalated, escalating 

1. to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc..

   to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.

   Synonyms: swell, mount, advance
   Antonyms: fall, decrease, lower

2. to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.

escalate

/ ˈɛskəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to increase or be increased in extent, intensity, or magnitude

   to escalate a war

   prices escalated because of inflation

Pronunciation Note

See percolate.

Other Word Forms

• escalation noun
• escalatory adjective
• nonescalating adjective
• nonescalatory adjective
• reescalate verb
• reescalation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of escalate¹

First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator

Word History and Origins

Origin of escalate¹

C20: back formation from _escalator

Example Sentences

Despite the escalating costs, despite the legal bills, DePree is still all in and hoping for a Hollywood ending.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He added that the situation had escalated because the suspects had retaliated: "It was a consequence of the retaliation they carried out and the disproportionate use of force by those criminals."

Read more on BBC

But China more recently has escalated incursions in and around South Korean territorial waters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This truce is positive for now, but we should all expect tensions to escalate in the future,” said Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator now at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"And it has escalated to de-escalate, which is a very new tactic."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• expand 
• grow 
• heighten 
• intensify 
• mount 
• raise 
• rise 
• step up 
• widen