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escalate
/ˈɛs.kə.leɪt/
increase intensity
The conflict escalated into a full-blown war.
The situation worsened significantly, becoming a war.
formal
To increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope.
The company decided to escalate production due to high demand.
The company increased its production output to meet rising customer needs.
Negotiations escalated when both sides refused to compromise.
The talks became more intense and confrontational because neither party agreed to concessions.
Commonly used in military, business, political, and conflict-related contexts.
Business
formal
To elevate to a higher level or position, often in a formal or systematic way.
The issue was escalated to the senior management for resolution.
The problem was brought to the attention of top executives for a decision.
Used in organizational contexts to describe the process of referring a problem or decision to a higher authority.
Technology
technical
In technology, to increase the allocation of resources to a process or system.
The server automatically escalated CPU usage when traffic spiked.
The server increased its processing power in response to the sudden increase in user requests.
Common in IT and cloud computing when addressing performance bottlenecks.
Collocations
escalate torefer to a higher authorityescalate quicklyincrease rapidlyescalate the situationmake a situation worse
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'escalate' when the increase is intentional or part of a strategy. For unintentional increases, consider 'grow,' 'rise,' or 'worsen.'
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Reserve 'escalate' for situations where the increase is significant and often involves a decision or action. Don't use it for minor changes.
Word Origin
From Latin *scala* (ladder, staircase), via Italian *scala* and Medieval Latin *escalare* (to climb), originally referring to scaling walls with ladders in siege warfare. The figurative sense of increasing intensity emerged in the 20th century.
Usage Notes
Escalate often implies a deliberate or necessary increase, rather than a spontaneous one. It is frequently used in contexts where control or management is implied, such as conflicts, projects, or systems. Avoid using it for natural or inevitable increases (e.g., 'The river rose' instead of 'The river escalated').
Word Breakdown
e-
intensifying prefix (from Latin ex-)
prefixscal-
from Latin *scala* (ladder)
root-ate
verb-forming suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary