Escalation is the act of intensifying or increasing a situation, typically in a negative context. If you are looking for synonyms for "escalation," then you might consider words like "ratcheting up," "heightening," "intensification," "amplification," "magnification," or "aggravation." Each of these words captures the idea of making something more severe or extreme, whether that refers to a conflict, a problem, or a physical sensation. Using these synonyms can help to add variety and nuance to your writing, or to help you avoid repetition when you're discussing a situation that is becoming more serious or concerning.