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
Egypt, which signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has been working for months to de-escalate the regional tensions, and Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly's visit to Beirut comes after similar trips to the small Arab nation by Egypt's foreign minister and intelligence chief.
—
Bassem Mroue, Arkansas Online, 20 Dec. 2025
Most urgently, the administration must press Saudi Arabia and the UAE to quickly de-escalate tensions in the south and come to a common approach to Yemen.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
The memo notes several sustained violations of Austin Police Department general orders, including failure to de-escalate, unreasonable response to resistance, inaccurate and misleading report writing, dishonesty and acts bringing discredit upon the department.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Dec. 2025
If a deal is reached, tensions could de-escalate significantly.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Bassem Mroue, Arkansas Online, 20 Dec. 2025
Most urgently, the administration must press Saudi Arabia and the UAE to quickly de-escalate tensions in the south and come to a common approach to Yemen.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
The memo notes several sustained violations of Austin Police Department general orders, including failure to de-escalate, unreasonable response to resistance, inaccurate and misleading report writing, dishonesty and acts bringing discredit upon the department.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Dec. 2025
If a deal is reached, tensions could de-escalate significantly.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Newsom claims homelessness decline Newsom during his final State of the State address Thursday claimed the state’s homeless population decreased last year.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, the number of job openings have decreased nearly 10% on the year to 729,000 in the September to November period from a year ago, the ONS found.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Kaufman moved there 30 years ago, and since that time the island’s community has diminished by degrees, its youth lured away by better employment prospects in Provo and overseas.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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These findings have prompted the development of interventions designed to create time and space between an individual’s suicidal impulse and access to firearms, allowing acute urges to subside.—
Russell Lemle,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Panthers will look to establish their run game to ease pressure on Bryce Young.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The review also supports earlier findings that gum chewing can ease stress, but only in certain situations.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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