1. to increase the level of pressure, stress, or demands in a situation, often in a confrontational or strategic context
The company decided to escalate pressure on the union by threatening layoffs.
A empresa decidiu intensificar a pressão sobre o sindicato ameaçando demissões.
2. to make a situation more tense or serious by increasing demands or aggressive actions
Diplomatic tensions escalated pressure between the two nations.
As tensões diplomáticas intensificaram a pressão entre as duas nações.