escalation

The process of becoming greater, more serious, or more intense.

• They feared an escalation of violence.
• The rapid escalation of costs forced the project to stop.
• Both sides wanted to prevent further escalation.

How to use it: escalation of something (Residents worried about the escalation of local tensions.); escalation in something (The report showed an escalation in costs.)

Similar words: increase, intensification

Opposites: decrease, reduction

Common phrases: rapid escalation, escalation of something, prevent escalation, price escalation

A planned increase in the violence or area of a conflict.

• The attack marked a military escalation.
• Sending more troops could lead to further escalation of the war.
• The leaders discussed ways to avoid escalation beyond the border.

How to use it: escalation of a conflict (The new attacks signaled an escalation of the conflict.)

Similar words: intensification

Opposites: de-escalation

Common phrases: military escalation, escalation of conflict, further escalation

Passing a difficult problem to someone with more authority or special skills to handle it.

• This problem needs escalation to a specialist.
• The support team has a clear escalation procedure.
• After escalation, a senior engineer handled the ticket.

How to use it: escalation to someone (The complaint required escalation to the department manager.)

Similar words: referral

Common phrases: ticket escalation, escalation to someone, escalation procedure