escalation

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A rapid increase or intensification in the degree, extent, or severity of something.; A rise in price, cost, or amount, especially a significant or rapid one.; The act of referring a problem or issue to a higher level of authority for resolution.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable / uncountable Plural: escalations

Collocations

escalation of violenceescalation of tensionsescalation of conflictrisk of escalationfurther escalationrapid escalationprevent escalation

Derivatives

escalateescalatorde-escalationde-escalateescalatory

Synonyms

intensificationincreaseriseamplificationaggravationheightening

Antonyms

de-escalationreductiondecreasediminution

Commonly confused

elevation
EN: 'Elevation' refers to height or the act of raising something physically or in status; 'escalation' refers to a progressive increase in intensity or severity, especially of conflict.
escalator
EN: 'Escalator' is a moving staircase; 'escalation' is the abstract noun meaning a rise in intensity.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the 'a' before '-tion': 'escal-a-tion', derived from 'escalate'. Do not write 'escalasion' or 'escaltion'.

💬 Examples

  1. The escalation of tensions between the two countries led to a full-scale war.

  2. The escalation of housing prices has made it difficult for young people to buy homes.

  3. The customer service representative initiated an escalation to the manager after the complaint remained unresolved.