escalation
CulturalExplanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing escalation
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for August 7–August 13, 2021
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Oil is in “freefall” as markets price in a faster path to restored Strait of Hormuz crude flows, rather than another round of escalation, according to Raj.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026
Without going into detail, he condemned the plans as "insane", warning that they would trigger a "devastating escalation".
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
The mission has monitored military developments and helped reduce the risk of escalation.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
Iran responded with limited, well-telegraphed strikes and sought to avoid escalation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 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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