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
Bouchard credits the drones for de-escalating the situation.
—
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Seeking federal dollars for pursuit technology The growing implementation of the Grappler comes at a time when funding to find ways to de-escalate chases is under consideration.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Nothing about the daily judgment educators use to steady an overwhelmed child, adapt a lesson, stoke critical thinking, de-escalate a conflict or help a student who comes to school hungry.
—Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The consultants have offered better ways to de-escalate confrontations with residents without resorting to the use of restraints such as the ones used on Moore, Brezee said.
—Arkansas Online, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Seeking federal dollars for pursuit technology The growing implementation of the Grappler comes at a time when funding to find ways to de-escalate chases is under consideration.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Nothing about the daily judgment educators use to steady an overwhelmed child, adapt a lesson, stoke critical thinking, de-escalate a conflict or help a student who comes to school hungry.
—Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The consultants have offered better ways to de-escalate confrontations with residents without resorting to the use of restraints such as the ones used on Moore, Brezee said.
—Arkansas Online, 6 May 2026
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 11 May. 2026.
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