Definitions

1. verb

to increase or become more serious or severe

“The situation escalated quickly after the news broke.”

2. verb

to cause a problem or a difficult situation to become worse

“The disagreement escalated into a full-blown argument.”

3. verb

to increase in intensity, number, or amount

“The company’s profits escalated significantly over the past year.”

4. verb

to move upward or rise

“The price of the stock escalated sharply after the announcement.”

5. noun

a sudden increase in the number or severity of attacks or problems

“The government was caught off guard by the escalation of the conflict.”

6. noun

a process of becoming more severe or serious

“The situation has entered an escalation of violence.”