The process of becoming more intense or serious, often rapidly. A situation that grows progressively worse or more extreme.
From Latin 'scala' meaning ladder or stairs, through French 'escalade' meaning 'to scale walls.' The modern sense of progressive intensification developed in the mid-20th century, particularly during the Cold War era.
The word escalation perfectly captures how conflicts and problems climb upward like steps on a ladder - each level making it harder to step back down, which is why diplomats and mediators work so hard to prevent that first step up.
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