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escalate

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈɛskəleɪt/ · UK /ˈeskəleɪt/

Forms: escalating, escalated

escalate means: To become stronger or more serious, or make something stronger or more serious.

verb

INCREASE INTENSITYB2

To become stronger or more serious, or make something stronger or more serious.

  • The argument quickly escalated.
  • Rising prices escalated the crisis.
  • A small disagreement can escalate into a serious conflict.

How to use it: escalate into something (The dispute escalated into a violent confrontation.)

Similar words: intensify, increase, step up

Opposites: decrease, ease

Common phrases: escalate the conflict, escalate into violence, escalate rapidly

REFER HIGHERC1

To pass a problem or request to someone with greater authority or more expert knowledge.

  • Please escalate this issue to your manager.
  • The agent escalated my complaint yesterday.
  • We escalate difficult cases to the technical team.

How to use it: escalate something to someone (I escalated the unresolved complaint to my supervisor.)

Similar words: refer, pass on

Common phrases: escalate an issue, escalate to someone, escalate a complaint

Questions about escalate

What does escalate mean?

To become stronger or more serious, or make something stronger or more serious.

What is escalate in other languages?

Türkçe: tırmanmak · Español: intensificarse · Français: s’intensifier · Deutsch: eskalieren · Italiano: intensificarsi · 日本語: 激化する

How do you pronounce escalate?

In American English /ˈɛskəleɪt/; in British English /ˈeskəleɪt/.

How do you use escalate in a sentence?

The argument quickly escalated. Rising prices escalated the crisis.

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escalate in other languages

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