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
The MPKs have no idea how to de-escalate the situation and fall back on what seems to be their default setting of being disproportionately violent toward unarmed fellow humans.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Officers used techniques to de-escalate the situation, but the man came outside with a knife.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The company said its 2026 financial outlook is based on the assumption that the Middle East conflict will de-escalate.
—Christina Cheddar Berk,davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
As officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, Wenger came out the residence, pointed, then allegedly threw, what was later determined to be an airsoft pistol at officers, according to Podgorski.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Officers used techniques to de-escalate the situation, but the man came outside with a knife.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The company said its 2026 financial outlook is based on the assumption that the Middle East conflict will de-escalate.
—Christina Cheddar Berk,davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
As officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, Wenger came out the residence, pointed, then allegedly threw, what was later determined to be an airsoft pistol at officers, according to Podgorski.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 2026.
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