Definition of "escalatory"

The pattern of gradually increasing severity fits with the general image of an escalatory conflict model.

1998, Paul Francis Diehl, The Dynamics of Enduring Rivalries, page 105

Is there an escalatory ladder in cyber, the same as with weapons of mass destruction?

2023 May 28, Roula Khalaf, “Lunch with the FT: Jeremy Fleming”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 3