Word Study
escalate
OXFORD DICTIONARY
escalate, v.
1 intr. & tr. increase or develop (usu. rapidly) by stages.
2 tr. cause (an action, activity, or process) to become more intense.
1 intr. & tr. increase or develop (usu. rapidly) by stages.
2 tr. cause (an action, activity, or process) to become more intense.
Derivative
escalation n.
Etymology
back-form. f. ESCALATOR
THESAURUS
escalate
boost, broaden, buoy up, cast up, climb, elevate, enlarge, erect, escalade, expand, grow, heave, heft, heighten, heist, hike, hoick, hoist, hold up, increase, intensify, jerk up, knock up, levitate, lift, lift up, lob, loft, mount, perk up, raise, raise up, rear, rear up, rise, scale, set up, sky, spread, stick up, throw up, up, upbuoy, upcast, upclimb, upgo, upheave, uphoist, uphold, uplift, upraise, uprear, upthrow, widenFor further exploring for "escalate" in Webster Dictionary Online