noun

escalation

escalation, intensification, increase

There has been a serious escalation of violence.

There has been a serious escalation of violence.

We want to avoid any further escalations.

We want to avoid any further escalations.

((an)) escalation of ((sth.)) an increase in the intensity of (sth.) There has been a serious escalation of violence.

Synonyms: intensification, increase, rise; Antonyms: de-escalation, reduction

From the verb 'escalate', related to 'escalator', from Latin 'scala' (ladder). The idea is of something going up in steps.

Imagine a conflict climbing an escalator, getting more serious with each step up.

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