escalate
[ es-kuh-leyt ]
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
1First recorded in 1920–25; back formation from escalator
pronunciation note For escalate
See percolate.
Other words for escalate
Opposites for escalate
Other words from escalate
- es·ca·la·tion, noun
- es·ca·la·to·ry [es-kuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˈɛs kə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
- non·es·ca·lat·ing, adjective
- non·es·ca·la·to·ry, adjective
- re·es·ca·late, verb, re·es·ca·lat·ed, re·es·ca·lat·ing.
- re·es·ca·la·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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
Origin of escalate
1C20: back formation from escalator
Derived forms of escalate
- escalation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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