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
Officers rushed the process, issued conflicting demands, failed to de-escalate and treated Lewis’ non-threatening movement toward compliance as justification for deadly force — all actions contrary to the reform that was supposed to be underway in the department, the lawsuit alleges.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Police began trying to de-escalate the situation through negotiation, said Miami Police spokesman Orlando Rodriguez.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The Western sources said that by the end of March, diplomatic contacts and the threat by Saudi Arabia to retaliate further led to an understanding to de-escalate, Reuters reported.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Seeking federal dollars for pursuit technology The growing implementation of the Grappler comes at a time when funding to find ways to de-escalate chases is under consideration.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Police began trying to de-escalate the situation through negotiation, said Miami Police spokesman Orlando Rodriguez.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
The Western sources said that by the end of March, diplomatic contacts and the threat by Saudi Arabia to retaliate further led to an understanding to de-escalate, Reuters reported.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Seeking federal dollars for pursuit technology The growing implementation of the Grappler comes at a time when funding to find ways to de-escalate chases is under consideration.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
-
Before long, the living room is reduced to a bare stage, upon which only a couple of pulleys and switches are visible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Each ergonomic Nuage seat fully reclines to improve circulation and reduce back pressure.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
According to 2025 research from McKinsey & Company's Women in the Workplace report, women remain significantly underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership, with representation decreasing at each step up the corporate ladder.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
While those shortfalls are diminishing, any sudden expenses, including those caused by factors outside of the city’s control, could quickly add to that burden.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
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None of that diminishes anything for each of the 1,248 players who will participate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Lugo now has time to let his symptoms subside.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
-
Yet while the pace of inflation subsided, bringing Social Security cost-of-living adjustments down in subsequent years, consumer prices have mostly stayed higher.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Consumer sentiment improved in June for the first time since the outbreak of the Iran war as gasoline prices eased in recent weeks, but shopper attitudes remained near their worst level on record, University of Michigan survey data on Friday showed.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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As screens dominate work, school and leisure, knowing the warning signs and how to ease them has become a daily-life issue, not a niche health concern.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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