Answer: escalation

AnswerCrossword Clue
ESCALATIONCold war to hot war.
ESCALATIONIncrease.
ESCALATIONStep-up
ESCALATIONRapid rise in prices or wages
escalationA rapid increase; a rise
escalationthe act of escalating
escalationAn increase in the intensity or seriousness of something; an intensification