Escalate/ˈeskəleɪt/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Increasing Severity Used to describe situations that are growing worse or more intense. Disagreements quickly escalate into full-blown arguments. Pro Tip 2/3Action Reaction Shows that an action has led to a more severe level of response. Provocative actions by one country could escalate into war. Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Intensification Implies that emotions or reactions have become stronger or more aggressive. Their debate escalated into a heated exchange.