de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 

nonstandard -ˈe-skyə-

de-escalated; de-escalating; de-escalates

transitive verb

: limit sense 2b

de-escalate production

tried to de-escalate the tension

intransitive verb

: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope

violence began to de-escalate

de-escalation

(ˌ)dē-ˌe-skə-ˈlā-shən 

nonstandard -ˌe-skyə-

noun

de-escalatory

(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

nonstandard -ˈe-skyə-

adjective

Synonyms of de-escalate

• reduce
• decrease

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

OpenAI has said its ChatGPT program is trained to recognize signs of emotional distress, de-escalate situations, and guide users to real-life support. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Witnesses said the Knicks guard attempted to act as a peacemaker, putting himself between the clashing parties in an effort to de-escalate the fight. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

In addition to hiring private security and coordinating with police, organizer Venessa McGhee said regular attendees and vendors frequently step in to de-escalate problems. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

To de-escalate the situation and for officer safety, officers did not proceed with the arrest at the Las Vegas Airport and chose to instead arrest him at his flight the following day departing the Los Angeles International Airport on July 14. — Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for de-escalate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late

(ˈ)dē-ˈes-kə-ˌlāt

: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope

de-escalate the war

de-escalation

(ˌ)dē-ˌes-kə-ˈlā-shən

noun