steepens
Becomes more precipitous
Steepens means becomes steeper—more sharply inclined or more extreme.
A trail steepens as it approaches the summit.
A learning curve steepens when difficulty increases rapidly.
The path steepens after the first mile.
Competition steepens as the deadline approaches.
slope
Angled terrain or steepness
pitch · climb · rise · angle · tilt · escarpment · precipice · bluff · hillside · mountainside
escalate
Increase in severity
sharpen · accelerate · quicken · aggravate · exacerbate · compound · amplify · magnify · increase · surge
gradient change
steepensflattens
Makes level or even
levels off · gentles · eases · moderates · plateaus
rate of change intensity
steepensdecelerates
Reduces velocity gradually
slows · moderates · stabilizes · steadies · normalizes