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
For months, the 11 members of Ramsey County’s Appropriate Responses Initiative planned and trained around how to teach police officers, school principals and 911 operators to de-escalate tense situations, with the greater goal, when possible, of avoiding police response altogether.
—
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 May 2025
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters the two deputies were trying to de-escalate the situation before the man, identified as 42-year-old Timothy Schulz, climbed into their running patrol vehicle and tried to get the weapons inside.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
One is to ignore it, another is to respond and try to de-escalate.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Unless the trade war de-escalates in the next few weeks, the firewall will come down, and a recession will ensue.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 May 2025
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters the two deputies were trying to de-escalate the situation before the man, identified as 42-year-old Timothy Schulz, climbed into their running patrol vehicle and tried to get the weapons inside.
—Alex Sundby
may 26, CBS News, 26 May 2025
One is to ignore it, another is to respond and try to de-escalate.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Unless the trade war de-escalates in the next few weeks, the firewall will come down, and a recession will ensue.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
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The website also says the industry has worked to reduce the use antimicrobials.—
John Bartlett,
NPR,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 June 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.—
John Bruno,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The rain had stopped and much of the floodwater was subsiding.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
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Yet, the excitement quickly subsided—shares fell 1.18% in after-hours trading to $178.84 following a mixed Q1 earnings report that exceeded EPS expectations but fell short on sales forecasts.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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More international alignment might have eased the U.S. infant formula crisis in 2022, when contamination shut down an Abbott factory, leading to monthslong shortages for American parents, Young said.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
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But China is frustrating the U.S. by moving too slowly on easing its rare earth export controls, The Wall Street Journal reported, a key part of the Geneva agreement.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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