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Escalation: meaning, definitions and examples

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escalation

 

[ ˌɛskəˈleɪʃən ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

international conflict

Escalation refers to a situation where tensions or conflicts between countries or groups increase in severity or intensity. It often involves a series of actions and reactions that lead to a worsening of the situation.

Synonyms

amplification, intensification, ratcheting up

Examples of usage

  • The escalation of the trade war between the two countries led to significant economic damage.
  • The military escalation in the region raised concerns about the possibility of a full-scale conflict.
Context #2 | Noun

work environment

In a work environment, escalation usually refers to the process of elevating an issue or concern to higher levels of management for resolution. It is often used when standard procedures or lower-level interventions have been ineffective.

Synonyms

advancement, elevation, increase

Examples of usage

  • The customer service representative escalated the complaint to the supervisor for further assistance.
  • The project manager decided to escalate the matter to the executive team for a quicker decision.
Context #3 | Verb

conflict resolution

To escalate means to increase in intensity or severity, especially in the context of a disagreement or conflict. It can involve a gradual progression towards more serious actions or responses.

Synonyms

aggravate, heighten, intensify

Examples of usage

  • The negotiations seemed to be going well until one party decided to escalate the dispute by threatening legal action.
  • When tensions rise, it's important not to escalate the situation further.

Translations

Translations of the word "escalation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escalada

🇮🇳 वृद्धि

🇩🇪 Eskalation

🇮🇩 eskalasi

🇺🇦 ескалація

🇵🇱 eskalacja

🇯🇵 エスカレーション

🇫🇷 escalade

🇪🇸 escalada

🇹🇷 tırmanış

🇰🇷 확대

🇸🇦 تصعيد

🇨🇿 eskalace

🇸🇰 eskalácia

🇨🇳 升级

🇸🇮 eskalacija

🇮🇸 stigvöxtur

🇰🇿 эскалация

🇬🇪 ესკალაცია

🇦🇿 eskalasiya

🇲🇽 escalada

Word origin

The word 'escalation' originated in the mid-20th century and is derived from the Latin word 'escalare', meaning 'to scale'. Initially used in the context of military strategy, it later expanded to include various fields such as business, conflict resolution, and psychology. The concept of escalation has been studied in depth in social sciences to understand the dynamics of conflict and power struggles.

See also: escalating, escalator.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,240, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.