Escalate

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: esʹ kÉ™ lāt, IPA: /ˈɛs.kÉ™.leɪt/

Origin

Back-formation from {{3}}

Full definition of escalate

Verb

1. to increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step upViolence escalated during the election.The shooting escalated the existing hostility.
2. in technical support, to transfer a telephone caller to the next higher level of authorityThe tech 1 escalated the caller to a tech 2.

Derived terms

• deescalate

Related terms

• escalator