Library / English Dictionary

ESCALATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Increase in extent or intensity

Example:

The Allies escalated the bombing

Synonyms:

escalate; intensify; step up

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "escalate" is one way to...):

increase (make bigger or more)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "escalate"):

redouble (double in magnitude, extent, or intensity)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

de-escalate (reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of)

Derivation:

escalation (an increase to counteract a perceived discrepancy)

Credits