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
As Washington and Beijing took steps to de-escalate tensions following Pelosi’s visit, China’s overt support for North Korea began to recede.
—
Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Police tried to de-escalate the situation, Fernandez said, but the man ignored officers' orders, prompting them to use less-than-lethal weapons.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While the department conducted no formal internal review, Hopkins said the KCFD has been working with union leaders to implement strategies and tactics aimed at de-escalating tense situations that could lead to violence, as well as defensive training.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Rangel was trying to de-escalate a fight that was going on between some girls over one of his friends, his girlfriend, Tierra Varela, told the Star-Telegram.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Police tried to de-escalate the situation, Fernandez said, but the man ignored officers' orders, prompting them to use less-than-lethal weapons.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2025
While the department conducted no formal internal review, Hopkins said the KCFD has been working with union leaders to implement strategies and tactics aimed at de-escalating tense situations that could lead to violence, as well as defensive training.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Rangel was trying to de-escalate a fight that was going on between some girls over one of his friends, his girlfriend, Tierra Varela, told the Star-Telegram.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Made with prebiotic oat to soothe irritation and support the skin barrier, the gentle cream also has feverfew extract, which is packed with antioxidants that reduce redness and further calm irritation.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
4 Sep. 2025
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Funding used in high school for more than 29 credit hours will reduce scholarship eligibility after high school by one year, and more than 59 credit hours will reduce eligibility by two years.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That transition will bring with it some advantages (the conflict of being a part of the Comcast empire is diminished) but also challenges.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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Many observers feel that the family’s power in Thailand is diminished, and its long dominant political machine could finally be out of steam.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Royals are waiting for his back spasms to subside before getting him back into game action.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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By 2008, Americans were withdrawing, and combat deaths were subsiding to their lowest level since the start of the occupation.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Alcaraz was briefly in a battle against Novak Djokovic, but eased through the third set after taking the second on a tiebreak.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The new rates, intended to streamline processes and compliance while easing the burden on consumers, include tax cuts on various items like apparel and footwear, and narrow down the four tax slabs introduced when GST first rolled out in 2017.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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