1An intransitive verb meaning to increase in intensity, to worsen, or to become aggravated (used for illness, conflicts, emotions, etc.).
風邪が高じて入院することになった。
The cold worsened and he had to be hospitalized.
冗談が度を越して喧嘩が高じてしまった。
A joke went too far and the argument escalated.
彼の不満が高じて退職を決めたらしい。
His dissatisfaction grew to the point that he apparently decided to quit.