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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of de-escalate
Arulampalam said Magnano’s response did not measure up to the standards of the Hartford Police Department or the three other officers at the scene who were trying to de-escalate the situation.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
While unconventional, the idea aligns loosely with expert advice that distraction can help de-escalate emotional overload in young children.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Police officers were seen de-escalating the situation, as no arrests were made, according to the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad today in an attempt to come up with a plan to de-escalate the Iran war.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
While unconventional, the idea aligns loosely with expert advice that distraction can help de-escalate emotional overload in young children.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Police officers were seen de-escalating the situation, as no arrests were made, according to the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad today in an attempt to come up with a plan to de-escalate the Iran war.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Global oil supply has reduced by 13%, according to the IMF, while severe damage has been done to other critical supply chains.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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But government hunting programs and other efforts to reduce their numbers as the human population grew led to the local extinction, or extirpation, of the animals from California more than a century ago.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Israel and Hezbollah showed no signs of decreasing their attacks Friday.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The less experienced Tyler Kolek’s playing time decreased as well as the squad returned to full health.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Panini currently holds licenses for those four federations, continuing the ongoing trend of Fanatics winning licenses, which diminishes Panini’s portfolio.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Competing Colors One painting mistake that will diminish the appearance of even the nicest new kitchen is not thoughtfully considering how your cabinet or wall color will coordinate with other elements in the room.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tony Buxton, a climate and energy attorney at a legal and lobbying firm in Maine, told the WSJ that opposition to AI data centers in the state is unlikely to subside.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2026
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Efstathopoulos expects the speech to further fuel the risk-off sentiment as investors wait for uncertainty to subside.—
Anniek Bao,Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The People’s Bank of China reaffirmed its cautious monetary easing stance in a quarterly meeting last month, after delivering only one 10-basis-point reduction in the policy interest rate in 2025.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
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But the therapies to ease symptoms were punishing.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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