escalate

Meaning

To increase rapidly; to become more intense or serious

To increase rapidly; become or make greater, more intense, or more serious.

to increase rapidly or make something become more intense or serious

Example Sentences

The aging population is escalating at an alarming rate.

The conflict escalated into a full-blown crisis.

The conflict began to escalate after the negotiations failed.

Example Expressions

escalate the situation

Synonyms

intensify, amplify, increase, worsen, heighten

Entry 1

intensify, amplify

Entry 2

increase, intensify, amplify

Entry 3

intensify, worsen, amplify, heighten, increase

Antonyms

decrease, diminish, reduce, lessen

Entry 1

decrease, diminish

Entry 2

decrease, reduce, diminish

Entry 3

decrease, lessen, reduce

Collocations

escalate quickly, escalate tension, escalate conflict, escalate costs