verb
1.
Synonyms: ascend 1, climb, escalade, mount, scale, upclimb, upgo
2.
to increase in extent, volume, amount, number, intensity, or scope
a little war threatens to escalate into a huge, ugly one
Synonyms: expand, grow
Related Word: broaden, enlarge, heighten, increase, intensify, spread, widen
Contrasted words: decrease, limit, minimize; constrict, contract, narrow; collapse, shrink, shrivel
Antonyms: de-escalate