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
Steve’s team is constantly de-escalating such conflict.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Suarez said the city would work with the group to de-escalate any conflicting dates.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Step away and de-escalate if possible.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
These are essential for de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Suarez said the city would work with the group to de-escalate any conflicting dates.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Step away and de-escalate if possible.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
These are essential for de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
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 10 Sep. 2025.
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