escalatory

American

[es-kuh-luh-tawr-ee] / ˈɛs kə ləˌtɔr i /

adjective

tending to escalate or increase by increments, especially in contexts of reciprocal aggression, hostility, or arms buildups.

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.

“So if anything, the latest moves pointed in an escalatory direction.”

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

“After the comments last night it feels more likely that things are heading in the escalatory path as opposed to de-escalatory path.”WTI for May delivery is up 11% at $111.17 a barrel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The comments reflected North Korea’s escalatory nuclear doctrine, which authorizes the military to launch preemptive nuclear strikes against enemies if it perceives the leadership as under threat.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2024

Every rung on the escalatory ladder may be treated by one side or the other as the beginning or end of hostilities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024

But this choice also has to be carefully calibrated to avoid sparking a dangerous escalatory spiral.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023