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

Diplomatic signals are providing some relief to fears of broader escalation, although the physical market remains tight, limiting downside, Christopher Tahir of Exness says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Any prospect of an escalation in the fighting is alarming to America’s allies in the Persian Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The European Union parliament's rapporteur on Turkey condemned the arrests as "a shocking escalation in the repression" in the country Turkey.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

It was a blaring signal of defiance and a remarkable diplomatic escalation.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

This is when Robert McNamara broke with the policy of open-ended escalation.

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

Related Words

• acceleration