escalate
[ es-kuh-leyt ]
/ ˈɛs kəˌleɪt /
verb (used with or without object), es·ca·lat·ed, es·ca·lat·ing.
to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.: to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.
to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.
Origin of escalate
First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from
escalator
pronunciation note for escalate
See
percolate.
OTHER WORDS FROM escalate
Words nearby escalate
esc.,
escabeche,
escadrille,
escadrille américaine,
escalade,
escalate,
escalation,
escalator,
escalator clause,
escallonia,
escallop
Example sentences from the Web for escalate
British Dictionary definitions for escalate
escalate
/ (ˈɛskəˌleɪt) /
verb
to increase or be increased in extent, intensity, or magnitude
to escalate a war; prices escalated because of inflation
Derived forms of escalate
escalation, nounWord Origin for escalate
C20: back formation from
escalator