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Escalate
3 dictionary results for: escalate
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
es·ca·late       [es-kuh-leyt] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
1.to increase in intensity, magnitude, etc.: to escalate a war; a time when prices escalate.
2.to raise, lower, rise, or descend on or as if on an escalator.

[Origin: 1920–25; back formation from escalator]

es·ca·la·tion, noun
es·ca·la·to·ry       [es-kuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] Pronunciation Key, adjective

1. advance, mount, swell.
1. lower, decrease, fall.
See percolate.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
es·ca·late       (ěs'kə-lāt')  Pronunciation Key 
v.   es·ca·lat·ed, es·ca·lat·ing, es·ca·lates

v.   tr.
To increase, enlarge, or intensify: escalated the hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

v.   intr.
To increase in intensity or extent: "a deepening long-term impasse that is certain to escalate" (Stewart L. Udall).


[Back-formation from escalator.]

es'ca·la'tion n., es'ca·la·to'ry (-lə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
escalate

verb
increase in extent or intensity; "The Allies escalated the bombing" [ant: de-escalate

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