escalate
verb [ I or T ] uk/ˈes.kə.leɪt/ us/ˈes.kə.leɪt/
（使）增强；（使）扩大；（使）加剧；（使）恶化
to become or make something become greater or more serious
His financial problems escalated after he became unemployed. 他失业后，经济问题更是雪上加霜。
The decision to escalate UN involvement has been made in the hopes of a swift end to the hostilities. 已决定加大联合国介入的力度，以期尽快结束敌对。
The escalating rate of inflation will almost certainly bring escalating prices. 通货膨胀率的不断上升几乎肯定会导致物价攀升。