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

Two regional officials said that the visit was part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran, and urge both countries to return to the negotiating table. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

This way of handling stress occurs when someone acts calm, appeases the threatening person and retreats to de-escalate the situation. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Behaving calmly, moving slowly, and speaking in a low calm voice will help de-escalate the situation. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

The federal department touted the gloves as a way to de-escalate tense situations for personnel at ICE, including deportation officers and homeland security investigators. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 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