Choose the perfect synonym or antonym for the word To increase rapidly in intensity or severity.
Escalate
/ˈeskəleɪt/Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Examples:
Hitler escalated his demands.
Tensions escalated after the unexpected announcement.
Costs may escalate if we don't address the budget issues soon.
Etymology:
The word escalate emerged in English around the mid-20th century, adapting from escalator which comes from the Latin scala meaning ladder. It conveys the notion of rising or increasing dramatically.
Usage Statistics:
15 mentions per 1 million words 
Hint: Frequency according to COCA
Moderate
Hint: Frequency according to COCA
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