escalate
[ es-kuh-leyt ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /
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verb (used with or without object), es·ca·lat·ed, es·ca·lat·ing.
to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.: to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.
to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.
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Origin of escalate
First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator
pronunciation note for escalate
See percolate.
OTHER WORDS FROM escalate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for escalate
British Dictionary definitions for escalate
escalate
/ (ˈɛskəˌleɪt) /
verb
to increase or be increased in extent, intensity, or magnitudeto escalate a war; prices escalated because of inflation
Derived forms of escalate
escalation, nounWord Origin for escalate
C20: back formation from escalator
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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