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Definition of escalatory

escalatory

/ˈɛskələˌtɔːri/
es · ca · la · to · ry
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escalatory Lexical Profile

escalatory Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Tending to cause or characterized by a rapid increase in the intensity, scope, or severity of a conflict, crisis, or disagreement.

Example

"The diplomats urged both nations to avoid escalatory rhetoric during the delicate trade negotiations."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

escalate
escalation
escalator
escalatory
escallonia
escalope
escapable

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-20th century from the verb 'escalate' and the adjective-forming suffix '-ory'. The verb 'escalate' itself was back-formed in the early 1920s from 'escalator', originally a trademarked term blending 'escalade' (French for scaling a wall with ladders, from Latin 'scala', meaning 'ladder') with 'elevator'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Escalatory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/escalatory
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