What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exacerbation
Example
The patient's symptoms showed signs of exacerbation. [exacerbation: noun]
Example
The argument between the two friends led to an exacerbation of their disagreement. [exacerbation: noun]
escalation
Example
The conflict between the two countries resulted in an escalation of military action. [escalation: noun]
Example
The company announced an escalation in prices due to the increase in production costs. [escalation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Escalation is more commonly used than exacerbation in everyday language. Escalation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while exacerbation is less common and is mostly used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exacerbation and escalation?
Both exacerbation and escalation are formal words, but exacerbation is more technical and specific to medical contexts, while escalation can be used in a wider range of formal contexts.
