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escalate

verb

ˈɛskəleɪt

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

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.

escalate the situation

intensify, amplify, increase, worsen, heighten

Entry 1

intensify, amplify

Entry 2

increase, intensify, amplify

Entry 3

intensify, worsen, amplify, heighten, increase

decrease, diminish, reduce, lessen

Entry 1

decrease, diminish

Entry 2

decrease, reduce, diminish

Entry 3

decrease, lessen, reduce

escalate quickly, escalate tension, escalate conflict, escalate costs

to withdraw a statement, promise, or part of the body; to pull back

to climb with effort or difficulty, often using both hands and feet

To praise highly in speech or writing, especially in honor of someone who has died.

to change something slightly to make it more suitable or effective

to enchant or fascinate someone as if by magic

to move hand or something back and forth; a moving ridge of water