escalation

escalation
    n 1: an increase to counteract a perceived discrepancy; "higher
         wages caused an escalation of prices"; "there was a gradual
         escalation of hostilities"
    

24 Moby Thesaurus words for "escalation":
      apotheosis, ascent, assumption, beatification, canonization,
      deification, elevation, enshrinement, erection, exaltation, height,
      lifting, raising, rearing, sursum corda, upbuoying, upcast,
      upheaval, uplift, uplifting, upping, uprearing, upthrow,
      upthrust