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

Washington was attempting to de-escalate a conflict at the block party, where children and families were present, when he and a 19-year-old woman were shot and killed, Gipson’s statement said. — Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 6 July 2026

Police repeatedly announced that the event had ended and instructed attendees to leave the area in an effort to de-escalate the situation. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

The helicopters' role was to de-escalate the situation by trying to engage with the pilot while the armed F-16s provided backup. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Maybe a mental-health professional might have lowered the danger level, de-escalating the situation. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 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