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
Attempts to de-escalate the fight, such as one man yelling at an assailant that the victim was 62 years old, did not seem to bring down tensions.
—
Rachel Wolf , Julia Bonavita , Cb Cotton, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
At the same time, Trump has escalated in parallel his threat to impose secondary sanctions on Russian energy exports in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to de-escalate attacks on Ukraine.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
In May, the Trump administration and China agreed to slash tariffs for 90 days in a push to de-escalate a trade war between the world's two largest economies while the two sides continued to negotiate a long-term agreement.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Further attempts by deputies to de-escalate the situation and bring the man out of the house peacefully failed, Ford said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Rachel Wolf , Julia Bonavita , Cb Cotton, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2025
At the same time, Trump has escalated in parallel his threat to impose secondary sanctions on Russian energy exports in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to de-escalate attacks on Ukraine.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
In May, the Trump administration and China agreed to slash tariffs for 90 days in a push to de-escalate a trade war between the world's two largest economies while the two sides continued to negotiate a long-term agreement.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Further attempts by deputies to de-escalate the situation and bring the man out of the house peacefully failed, Ford said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Over the past year, the co-CEOs have executed a plan to shave off $500 million in costs, sell off assets and reduce a workforce by more than 15 percent as Paramount shifts ownership.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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Those fine particles can stick together tightly, reducing pore space for water to move through or percolate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The top three contributors to 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,
12 Aug. 2025
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Gross profit decreased 12% compared to last year's second quarter end, Kodak disclosed, and its cash balance sits at $155 million, marking a loss of just under 23% since the end of December.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The transit systems that give independence to hundreds of thousands of people living with disabilities will be severely diminished.—
Karen Tamley,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
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Rather than diminishing us, this should decentralize our ego.—
Dax Grant,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The furor has subsided, possibly because districts are adapting to such stringent state laws as House Bill 1467, which required districts to create a public, searchable online list of elementary school materials.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
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Stewart was celebrated as a hero — and interviewed by the likes of CNN and the BBC — before interest in the story initially subsided.—
Susan Young,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, Trump announced an extraordinary deal for the U.S. government to take a 15% share of Nvidia's H20 chip sales in China as a condition for easing restrictions to allow the chip to be sold there.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
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Offering pet benefits is a remote-friendly option that can not only support employee well-being but also ease the financial pressures of modern pet ownership that all generations face.—
Cerys Goodall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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