/ˈeskəleɪt/
es·cal·ate
BrE /ˈeskəleɪt/
NAmE /ˈeskəleɪt/
[I, T]
to become or make sth greater, worse, more serious, etc.
~ (into sth)
The fighting escalated into a full-scale war.
the escalating costs of health care
~ sth (into sth)
We do not want to escalate the war.
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es·cal·ation
BrE /ˌeskəˈleɪʃn/
NAmE /ˌeskəˈleɪʃn/
[C, U]
an escalation in food prices
further escalation of the conflict