escalate
[ es-kuh-leyt ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /
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verb (used with or without object), es·ca·lat·ed, es·ca·lat·ing.
to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.: to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.
to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.
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Origin of escalate
First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator
pronunciation note for escalate
See percolate.
OTHER WORDS FROM escalate
Words nearby escalate
esc., escabeche, escadrille, Escadrille Américaine, escalade, escalate, escalation, escalator, escalator clause, escallonia, escallop
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for escalate
British Dictionary definitions for escalate
escalate
/ (ˈɛskəˌleɪt) /
verb
to increase or be increased in extent, intensity, or magnitudeto escalate a war; prices escalated because of inflation
Derived forms of escalate
escalation, nounWord Origin for escalate
C20: back formation from escalator
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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