Escalate (verb)

1. To increase in intensity, level, or degree.
2. To increase or cause to increase in severity, scope, or scale.

Origin:

From latin escalātus, past participle of escalāre ("to climb up"), from ex ("out") + scalae ("ladder").

Examples:

1. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war.
2. The situation escalated quickly and became out of control.
3. The company decided to escalate its marketing efforts to increase sales.
4. The problem has escalated and requires immediate attention.
5. The violence escalated as the protesters clashed with the police.