es·ca·late 
/ˈɛskəˌleɪt/ verb
es·ca·lates; es·ca·lat·ed; es·ca·lat·ing /ˈɛskəˌleɪt/ verb 1 : to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe [no obj] ▪ The conflict has escalated into an all-out war. ▪ a time of escalating tensions/violence [+ obj] ▪ We are trying not to escalate the violence. 2 : to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or higher [no obj] ▪ Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate. ▪ an effort to combat escalating [=rising] costs [+ obj] ▪ The cold weather has escalated fuel prices.
— es·ca·la·tion /ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/ noun [count, noncount]
/ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/ noun [count, noncount]
