escalate
verb [ I or T ]
uk/ˈeskəleɪt/ usto become more important or serious, or to make something do this:
a problem/crisis/dispute escalates Mediation can be used to settle disputes at an early stage and stop problems escalating.
escalate a problem/matter/complaint If the customer remains dissatisfied with the response, they may then escalate the complaint.
to rise or to make something rise:
price/cost/demand escalates As prices escalated, fewer people could afford a mortgage on a house.
escalate costs/prices It was suggested that the UV coating on the windows would escalate the cost of the original plan.
escalation
noun [ C or U ]
the escalation in/of prices
The problem needs to be addressed immediately in order to avoid an escalation.