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Synonyms
es·ca·late (ĕśkə-lāt́)

[Back-formation from escalator.]

verb: -lat·ed, -lat·ing, -lates. 

transitive verb 

To increase, enlarge, or intensify: escalated the hostilities in the Persian Gulf.

intransitive verb 

To increase in intensity or extent: “a deepening long-term impasse that is certain to escalate” (Stewart L. Udall)

derivatives

eśca·látion
noun
eśca·la·tóry
adjective