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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Explanation

An escalation is an increase or growth. When there's an escalation in tension between two countries, it means that things have become much more strained between them. An escalation in Christmas tree prices means that your holiday decor will be more expensive this year, and an escalation of violence in a particular country will probably keep you from traveling there until things calm down. When something gets bigger or more intense, there's an escalation. The word comes from the verb escalate, which in turn is a back-formation from escalator. The Latin root of all three words is scala, or "ladder."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

escalation

Aurangzeb expressed alarm at the escalation, saying damage to such sites would delay a return to economic normalcy.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

“With Riyadh promising retaliation and Washington weighing direct intervention, further airstrikes risk fueling another cycle of escalation rather than bringing the attacks to an end,” she said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026

Around 200,000 have been driven from their homes since the start of this escalation at the beginning of September, according to the International Organization for Migration - all this in the Arab world's poorest country.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Wednesday’s filing marks the latest escalation in the legal fight over conditions at the facility and the government’s lack of compliance with the court’s directives.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Not even Congress was aware that the president was considering another major escalation.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

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Related Words

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