1
as in reduced
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 decreased
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-escalated
The conflict was de-escalated by a 2019 peace deal between the government and 14 armed groups.
—
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalated
Verb
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Saudi Arabia’s government has reduced its reliance on oil revenue by introducing taxes and fees, but the kingdom’s ambitions have still grown faster than the new sources of revenue forcing the country to become more pragmatic, The New York Times’ Vivian Nereim reports.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Images from the scene showed a part of a four-story building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Palestinian voter turnout has gradually decreased over the past elections.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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The issue has broad effects, affecting not just the victim but families, co-workers and community while harming mental and physical health, causing decreased productivity and decreasing one’s quality of life.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the chaos subsided and guests were allowed back into the festival, Wilson’s performance was the set everyone needed to put the night back into place.—
Brian Blueskye,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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And while the conflict in the Middle East temporarily warded off deflation, the gains have since subsided as Chinese industry continues to run below capacity, the chief economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis argued.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For those who have been advocating for more telework protections since 2024, their fervor hasn’t diminished.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Broadband, long the savior of the sector as video footprints have diminished, has also shown signs of weakness over the past year or two.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the piece, the Vicar of Christ is felled not by his oppressors but rather by a random cosmic event.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It's eased the way to deport migrants to countries other than their own.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
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BigXthaPlug brought big energy to Stagecoach on Friday, as the afternoon sun eased into the early evening.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalated. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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