de-escalate

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
Definition of de-escalatenext
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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of de-escalate Behaving calmly, moving slowly, and speaking in a low calm voice will help de-escalate the situation. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 The federal department touted the gloves as a way to de-escalate tense situations for personnel at ICE, including deportation officers and homeland security investigators. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 But even if hostilities in the region de-escalate, a persistent risk to traffic through the strait will likely remain, with passage either outright controlled by Iran or, at the very least, subject to Iranian disruption at any time. — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026 During a federal job fair at Miami Dade College, Wilson expressed a desire for the campaign rhetoric to de-escalate. — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
  1. reduce
  2. decrease
  3. diminish
  4. subside
  5. ease
Verb
  • Proponents say such a system can reduce response time in the face of gun violence or a medical emergency.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than having dog kennels lined up across from each other like in traditional shelters, the New Leash on Life design will have kennels on one side facing a hallway to reduce barking and stress.
    — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The researchers’ models suggest that areas near the escarpment could have lost as much as 8 kilometers of rock, with erosion decreasing farther away from the ancient cliff.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • An early positive working relationship has been struck with Ross Wilson, the sporting director, and the pair usually speak multiple times every day, although their volume of conversations may decrease slightly once the transfer window closes.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • As more money and attention flow into the space, the challenge is how to capitalize on the cultural cachet of the Grand Slams without diminishing what made that access desirable in the first place.
    — Jessica Schiffer, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • And the Ku Klux Klan, though diminished from its earlier power, had not disappeared.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Two of them coincide with areas where satellite radar shows that the ground is actively subsiding.
    — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
  • After the smoke subsided, residents reported feeling effects from the stench of rotting meat and food from the warehouse interior, where it had been stored frozen on tall racks that were hundreds of feet across.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of subside
Verb
  • All of these things were simulated repeatedly to ease recovery operations.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If your toddler would rather try the toilet first, use a potty training seat to add security and ease anxiety about falling into the toilet.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ease

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deerskins
de-escalate
de-escalated
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Cite this Entry

“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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