escalate

American  

[es-kuh-leyt] / ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /

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.

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escalate British  

/ ˈɛskəˌleɪt /

verb

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

   to escalate a war

   prices escalated because of inflation

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Pronunciation

See percolate.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of escalate

First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator

Example Sentences

But the dispute escalated and an indefinite all-out strike began on 11 March, with picketers delaying crews from leaving waste depots to collect rubbish, before a High Court injunction was granted.

From BBC

This migration-dependent strategy offers a new perspective on viral dissemination and may help explain how certain infections escalate so rapidly.

From Science Daily

Market participants have tended to shrug off geopolitical turmoil, such as disruptions in the Middle East in the past few years that included escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

From MarketWatch

In June, he recommended that investors bet on oil prices to fall, as an escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran and the U.S. briefly sent prices higher.

From MarketWatch

"This operation is not a declaration of war, nor an attempt to escalate tensions," Khanbashi was cited as saying in a statement by the official Saba Net news agency.

From Barron's

Related Words

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