verb

escalate

EHS-kuh-layt

verb

To increase in intensity, size, or seriousness.

"Tensions between the two countries continued to escalate."

"The argument escalated into a full-blown shouting match."

To pass a problem or issue on to someone with greater authority to handle it.

"If the support agent can't fix it, they'll escalate the ticket to a supervisor."

How to Use Escalate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get bigger, worse, or more serious — or to pass a problem up to someone higher up.

Common pairings

escalate a conflict escalate the issue quickly escalate

escalated past tense, escalates singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Tensions between the two countries continued to _____.

A back-formation from "escalator" — the verb was invented from the noun, not the other way around, in the early 20th century.

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