Crescendo

Definitions

1. An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.
2. A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.
   figuratively
3. The climax of a gradual increase.
   figuratively, nonstandard

Equivalents

Examples

“Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.”

“Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.”

“With the Stoke supporters jeering Ziv's every subsequent touch⟳, the pantomime atmosphere created by the home crowd reached a crescendo when Ziv was shown a straight red shortly after the break⟳ in extraordinary circumstances.”

CEFR level