steepened
Grew more vertical
Steepened is the past tense of steepen, meaning to become or make steeper.
A slope steepens when its angle increases: The trail steepened as we approached the summit.
The word extends to abstractions: Competition steepened after new firms entered the market.
The learning curve steepened considerably in the second semester.
Angled rising surface
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
- gradientRate of change across space
- pitchFrequency of sound
- gradeClassification by rank
angle · tilt · bank · rake · ascent · descent · declivity · escarpment
Increase in severity
- heightenIncrease in degree
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- sharpenMake keener or finer
- deepenIncrease in degree
worsen · exacerbate · aggravate · compound · accelerate · magnify · redouble · quicken
Sport of climbing peaks
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- rockfaceExposed cliff surface
alpinism · scramble · trek · expedition · approach · couloir · headwall · crux
Demanding strenuous effort
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- demandingRequiring great effort
- punishingExtremely taxing or severe
- relentlessContinuing without pause
taxing · strenuous · daunting · formidable · brutal · unforgiving · treacherous · perilous
incline
Angled rising surface
grade · angle · tilt · bank · rake · ascent · descent · declivity · escarpment · hillside
escalate
Increase in severity
deepen · worsen · exacerbate · aggravate · compound · accelerate · magnify · redouble · quicken · surge
mountaineering
Sport of climbing peaks
rockface · alpinism · scramble · trek · expedition · approach · couloir · headwall · crux · pitch
arduous
Demanding strenuous effort
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- demandingRequiring great effort
- punishingExtremely taxing or severe
relentless · taxing · strenuous · daunting · formidable · brutal · unforgiving · treacherous · perilous · harrowing