Escalate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
Britannica Dictionary definition of ESCALATE
1
:
to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe
[no object]
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The conflict has escalated into an all-out war.
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a time of escalating tensions/violence
[+ object]
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We are trying not to escalate the violence.
2
:
to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or higher
[no object]
-
Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.
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an effort to combat escalating [=rising] costs
[+ object]
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The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.