1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the fighting de-escalated as the peace talks progressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of de-escalate
Several people were hit with the spray including Kim, who was seen trying to de-escalate the situation.
—
Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Officers rushed the process, issued conflicting demands, failed to de-escalate and treated Lewis’ non-threatening movement toward compliance as justification for deadly force — all actions contrary to the reform that was supposed to be underway in the department, the lawsuit alleges.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Police began trying to de-escalate the situation through negotiation, said Miami Police spokesman Orlando Rodriguez.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The Western sources said that by the end of March, diplomatic contacts and the threat by Saudi Arabia to retaliate further led to an understanding to de-escalate, Reuters reported.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Officers rushed the process, issued conflicting demands, failed to de-escalate and treated Lewis’ non-threatening movement toward compliance as justification for deadly force — all actions contrary to the reform that was supposed to be underway in the department, the lawsuit alleges.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Police began trying to de-escalate the situation through negotiation, said Miami Police spokesman Orlando Rodriguez.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The Western sources said that by the end of March, diplomatic contacts and the threat by Saudi Arabia to retaliate further led to an understanding to de-escalate, Reuters reported.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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The coronavirus vaccine reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to covid-19 — strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalization from heart disease — by about 40 percent, according to a new study.—
Daniel Wu,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
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Consolidating multiple high-rate debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate can simplify the repayment process and lower your monthly costs, making your debt more manageable and reducing the likelihood of falling behind.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Australian Transport Safety Bureau The pilot, unaware of what had happened, felt the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and noticed the airspeed rapidly decreasing.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
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The move continues a new approach to homelessness under Mayor Kevin McCarty and Brian Pedro, the director for the Department of Community Response, amid an ongoing budget deficit and decreased state funding.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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When plants are set too close together, air circulation is diminished, which encourages a more humid plant canopy that favors disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
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To bolster his case, DeWine brandished charts and graphs detailing the diminishing number of death sentences meted out by courts and showing the exceedingly long wait times that elapse as legal appeals play out for those on death row.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Kim said the numbers have since lowered and overcrowding has subsided.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Dec. 2025
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Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The race to the bottom has been so ferocious this year that Beijing stepped in to rein in manufacturers, though economists believe deflationary pressures are unlikely to ease soon.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
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The team said this approach could help ease future grid constraints and unlock new offtake opportunities, and potentially pave the way for more resilient and responsive renewable energy systems.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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