de-escalate
verb
de-es·ca·late
(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard -ˈe-skyə-
de-escalated; de-escalating; de-escalates
: limit sense 2b
de-escalate production
tried to de-escalate the tension
: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope
violence began to de-escalate
Examples of de-escalate in a Sentence
first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room
the fighting de-escalated as the peace talks progressed
Recent Examples on the Web
The altercation continued even after a referee threw a flag and stepped in between the two men in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
—
Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
In a release, DHS said that ICE agents tried to de-escalate the altercation with Ojeda-Montoya and Zapata Rivera, requesting the father take custody of the child.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Just as the students seek out easier classes for a certain A, the professors pursue simpler course designs that de-escalate the fighting over grades.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
In a release, DHS said that ICE agents tried to de-escalate the altercation with Ojeda-Montoya and Zapata Rivera, requesting the father take custody of the child.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Just as the students seek out easier classes for a certain A, the professors pursue simpler course designs that de-escalate the fighting over grades.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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