escalate

Verb

1.

escalate - increase in extent or intensity; "The Allies escalated the bombing" Synonyms: intensify, step up Antonyms: de-escalate, step down, weaken - reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of; "de-escalate a crisis"

boost, broaden, buoy up, cast up, climb, elevate, enlarge, erect, escalade, expand, grow, heave, heft, heighten, heist, hike, hoick, hoist, hold up, increase, intensify, jerk up, knock up, levitate, lift, lift up, lob, loft, mount, perk up, raise, raise up, rear, rear up, rise, scale, set up, sky, spread, stick up, throw up, up, upbuoy, upcast, upclimb, upgo, upheave, uphoist, uphold, uplift, upraise, uprear, upthrow, widen