What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
snowball
Example
The argument between the two friends snowballed into a full-blown fight. [snowballed: past tense]
Example
The company's financial problems snowballed when they lost their biggest client. [snowballed: verb]
escalation
Example
The conflict between the two countries led to an escalation of violence. [escalation: noun]
Example
The project's budget saw an escalation due to unforeseen expenses. [escalation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snowball is more commonly used than escalation in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. However, escalation is more often used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between snowball and escalation?
Escalation is generally considered more formal than snowball, as it is often used in professional or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context and audience.
