Synonyms

escalate

American

[es-kuh-leyt] / ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

escalated, escalating

to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc..

to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.

Synonyms:

swell, mount, advance

Antonyms:

fall, decrease, lower
to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.

escalate British

/ ˈɛskəˌleɪt /

verb

to increase or be increased in extent, intensity, or magnitude

to escalate a war
prices escalated because of inflation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Pronunciation

See percolate.

Other Word Forms

escalation noun
escalatory adjective
nonescalating adjective
nonescalatory adjective
reescalate verb
reescalation noun

Etymology

Origin of escalate

First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator

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.

"There's danger that they will escalate situations or respond very aggressively in... tense situations," he said.

From BBC

Opening on an already wild scene where the family members are bickering at the hospital deathbed of Linda’s mother, the events of “Big Mistakes” escalate quickly and considerably.

From Los Angeles Times

Cal/OSHA escalated its efforts on Dec. 22, issuing a subpoena.

From Los Angeles Times

China has sought to mediate in the escalating conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

From Barron's

The survey might have captured some early reactions to the conflict, but it doesn’t reflect any decisions farmers might have made in late March as tensions in the region escalated.

From Barron's

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