escalate

to make a situation worse or more serious, especially by doing something that causes anger or disagreement

empeorar, intensificar, agravar

• escalate into sth

Collocations escalate tensions · escalate violence

• The situation could escalate into a full-scale war.

  La situación podría empeorar hasta convertirse en una guerra total.

to increase the level or amount of something, especially to a higher level

elevar, aumentar, subir de nivel

• escalate sth

Collocations escalate demands · escalate spending

• The company has decided to escalate its investment in renewable energy.

  La empresa ha decidido aumentar su inversión en energía renovable.