escalatory

American  

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

adjective

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

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Example Sentences

Officials agreed that while the EU needed to be ready to retaliate if necessary, the bloc wouldn’t be the one to take escalatory steps.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unlike clear-cut export controls, these disguised measures are harder to manage and pose escalatory risks.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I'm not so hopeful that a technical mechanism will really address the fundamental drivers of this escalatory cycle," he admitted.

From Barron's

“The United States has not really shown any desire to trigger any escalatory dynamics.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"We urge Iran to refrain from any escalatory action," they said in a joint statement, adding: "The reimposition of UN sanctions is not the end of diplomacy."

From BBC