escalation

Cultural  

1. An increase in the intensity or geographical scope of a war or diplomatic confrontation. For example, during the Korean War, some Americans urged escalation of the war through bombing of the People's Republic of China.

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Example Sentences

Analyst Anthony Moulder points to a significant escalation in jet fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Addressing the UN Security Council from Beirut on Tuesday, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said "the current escalation is compounding a situation that is already critical".

From BBC

But if the limited ground operations that the president is now considering don’t succeed, he may well have to choose between this defeat and escalation, which could lead to something even worse.

From The Wall Street Journal

There's also a fear about what an escalation could bring.

From BBC

While authorities insist the situation is under control, the imposition of a curfew underscores the seriousness of the threat and the urgency of preventing further escalation.

From BBC

Related Words

• acceleration