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
Relevance
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
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
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
-
Here’s a look at what streets will be closed or reduced in Fort Worth this weekend to accommodate the event.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The ship also composts food waste and has reduced its reliance on single-use plastics.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In its 2025 report, Lazard, a financial advisory firm, estimated that the cost to build, operate, fuel and maintain a plant has decreased by 55% for wind and 84% for solar since 2009.—
Suhail Bhat,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Over the past few years, profits have decreased.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While tensions over Greenland have subsided for now, the infighting has seriously undercut the ability of the world’s biggest security alliance to deter adversaries.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Her family ran to their roof, where the damage was very visible after the rain had subsided.—
Lauren Pozen,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After 50, this step becomes especially important because the skin’s ability to hold onto moisture has diminished.—
Allison Palmer
Updated February 25,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But his joke during the phone call about also having to invite the women and the subsequent laughter from the men, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media, set off a firestorm of criticism, with many expressing frustration that the joke diminished the women's achievement.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi received death threats after centuries-old trees were felled to make way for a $131 million bobsledding track.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather.—
Boris Fishman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His message to insurers is that his company can save costs in an overwhelmed health care system by identifying early whose anxieties can be eased with an app and who needs professional help.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food prices, eased to 2%.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalated. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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