escalation

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.

Example Sentences

“They are the ones who chose to make this major escalation. Our agreement was that we would keep our tariffs low if you keep the rare earths flowing.”

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Most strategists expect the cycle of escalation to detente seen earlier in the year to be repeated in coming weeks.

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Stocks sank on Friday on an apparent escalation of the trade war between Washington and Beijing.

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China’s naval escalation is also tailored to American weaknesses.

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Hamas also had to see that its political exit routes, via Iranian escalation, support from mediators such as Qatar, and pressure from left-wing Western protests, had been closed.

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Related Words

• acceleration