escalate

[US]/ˈeskəleɪt/
[UK]/ˈeskəleɪt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. & vi. (cause to) increase gradually; (cause to) expand gradually to a higher level or larger size.

Phrases & Collocations

escalate the situation

Example Sentences

escalated the hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

The government escalated the war by starting to bomb enemy cities.

Street violence has escalated as a result of a turf war between rival neighbourhood gangs.

The conflict between the two countries continues to escalate.

The situation in the region is starting to escalate.

They decided to escalate their marketing efforts.

The company's expenses have been escalating rapidly.

The tension between the two coworkers escalated quickly.

The conflict began to escalate after the misunderstanding.

If we don't address the issue now, it will only escalate further.

The disagreement between the two parties escalated into a full-blown argument.

The protests in the city are escalating as more people join in.

The conflict showed no signs of de-escalating anytime soon.

Real-world Examples

Attacks on security forces have only escalated.

Source: NPR News July 2015 Compilation

These strikes threatened to further escalate the war.

Source: CNN 10 Student English Compilation October 2022

The police say they were forced to open fire when the situation escalated.

Source: BBC Listening Collection April 2021

And things have just kind of escalated from there.

Source: NPR News August 2015 Compilation

Ukraine's foreign ministry said Russia was deliberately escalating the crisis in the region.

Source: BBC Listening Compilation May 2014

The EU has welcomed the decision not to escalate the tensions.

Source: BBC Listening Collection August 2020

The last thing we need is for this thing to escalate.

Source: Sherlock Holmes: The Basic Deduction Method Season 2

And that is exactly what would happen if these tensions escalate with Iran.

Source: NPR News June 2019 Compilation

But more definitive proof is needed before the U.S. escalates its involvement there.

Source: AP Listening Collection May 2013

I verified my data, insisted to our executive staff that we urgently escalate the matter.

Source: 2021 Celebrity High School Graduation Speech

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