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

Prices fell more than 5% for the week after selling off Monday on hopes the conflict in the Middle East would de-escalate. — Azhar Sukri,terri Cullen, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

Leaders, for example, can leverage uncertainty to de-escalate a conflict or reach a stable peace agreement by letting both sides claim victory. — Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026

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

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