Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Escalate”?

Escalate means to expand or increase.

• Correct answer - expand: it has the same meaning as Escalate.
• scrape: to rub roughly - wrong, it does not mean the same as Escalate.
• expel: to drive out - wrong, it does not mean the same as Escalate.
• diminish: to reduce - wrong, it does not mean the same as Escalate.