escalate Definition
- 1to become or make something greater, more serious, or more intense
- 2to increase the intensity or magnitude of something
Using escalate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "escalate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The conflict between the two countries escalated into a full-scale war.
Example
The situation has escalated to the point where we need to involve the police.
Example
The company's financial problems have escalated in recent months.
Example
The argument escalated into a physical fight.
escalate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with escalate
escalate tensions
to increase the level of hostility or disagreement between two or more parties
Example
The government's actions have escalated tensions between the two countries.
Example
The manager's aggressive behavior only served to escalate the situation.
Example
The rebels have escalated the conflict by attacking civilian targets.
Origins of escalate
from Latin 'scala', meaning 'ladder'
Summary: escalate in Brief
The verb 'escalate' [ˈɛskəleɪt] means to increase the intensity, seriousness, or magnitude of something. It is often used to describe conflicts, tensions, or situations that become worse over time. Examples include 'The conflict between the two countries escalated into a full-scale war.' and 'The company's financial problems have escalated in recent months.' 'Escalate' can be formalized as 'intensify' or 'heighten,' or informally expressed as 'ramp up' or 'step up.'