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

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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 Heim held out his arms in self-defense while trying to back away and de-escalate the situation. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 On the other hand, if the conflict with Iran de-escalates and oil prices settle down soon, bond yields could fall. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Still, days later, there was no evidence that the Saudis and the Houthis were de-escalating, or that the United States, the kingdom’s defense partner, would immediately provide direct military support. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 Bowler said after two hours of negotiating with the man to de-escalate the situation, officers fired their guns and wounded the man. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 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
  • Slickwater uses a mix of water, sand, and thin, friction-reducing chemicals rather than thicker gels to shatter dense shale rock deep underground and free the gas.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Choudri told the board during the hearing that the agency had adopted measures to reduce consultant costs.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Deaths from the virus have decreased by 36% in the past decade.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Academics and researchers have proposed a wide variety of causes for the crisis, like changes in the economy, decreasing social connections, access to firearms, and the pandemic.
    — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • When every decision requires multiple levels of authorization, ownership naturally diminishes.
    — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And where does the water come from for these 10 new cities as the West scrambles for what’s left of diminishing supplies?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • When ground ice melts and water drains away, the surface can subside.
    — Ming Xiao, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The months-long battle was bitter and hard fought and enmity within the industry has yet to subside.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Another catalyst could come in December, when CHIPS Act funding restrictions ease, allowing Micron to deploy its growing cash pile toward a significant buyback .
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Jeff Nash, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Bolsonaro has called for easing environmental rules and allowing farming or mining on Indigenous lands, raising concern that forest loss could increase even if current restrictions remain technically intact.
    — Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ease

Browse Nearby Words

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 11 Oct. 2026.

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