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 escalating the issue through tribunals, and complaints procedures, he said he had "exhausted every avenue".

Read more on BBC

But that is unlikely to stanch the escalating scrutiny of its business practices in France.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Should the U.S. wish to escalate further, precision strikes on Venezuelan territory are not out of the question.

Read more on Salon

Al-Houthi not only fired missiles at Israel, he vowed to escalate the conflict with Arab states should they assist Israel’s military, according to Arab mediators who received the message.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the U.S. is trimming combat power from NATO’s eastern front as Mr. Putin’s military escalates his drone incursions and other tests of the Western alliance and refuses to settle his war in Ukraine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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