escalation
escalation Lexical Profile
escalation Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A rapid or successive increase in the intensity, seriousness, or extent of a situation, dispute, or problem.
"Diplomatic efforts were immediately launched to prevent a further escalation of the trade dispute."
A steep or steady rise in prices, costs, or wages.
"The sudden escalation in housing costs has forced many young families to move to the suburbs."
The referral of an unresolved issue, complaint, or task to a higher level of authority or expertise within an organization.
"Standard customer service protocols require the immediate escalation of any data privacy complaints to the legal department."
• Rhymes for escalation
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century from the verb 'escalate', itself a back-formation from 'escalator' (originally a trademarked name for a moving staircase derived from Latin 'scala', meaning 'ladder').