de-escalates

verb

present tense third-person singular of de-escalate
1
as in reduces
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 decreases
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-escalates You will be surprised by how often the familiarity of the song de-escalates the tension. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 June 2026 If the war de-escalates meaningfully, markets can begin rotating away from pure geopolitical hedges and back toward businesses with durable growth just as Alphabet’s transformation into an AI-first and services platform continues to accelerate. — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalates
  1. reduces
  2. decreases
  3. diminishes
  4. subsides
  5. declines
Verb
  • Aiir’s software reduces that workload by scanning inspection footage before presenting possible findings to the technician.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • Palliative care reduces disease symptoms and the burdens on caregivers.
    — Jane Callahan, The Conversation, 14 July 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • The longer-term concern is whether the state will have to cover more of the cost if federal support decreases.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
  • Discuss Hidden Factors Instead Of Selling Features In high-trust industries, skepticism usually decreases when the conversation becomes less transactional and more observational.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of decreases
Verb
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • When the temperature difference diminishes between the warmer western Pacific and the cooler eastern Pacific, the typical east-to-west trade winds decrease even further.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of diminishes
Verb
  • After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
  • Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026
Definition of subsides
Verb
  • Car registrations and titles can now be issued electronically, and some DMV documentation will be sent via email, unless the driver declines to provide an address.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
  • As Medicaid coverage declines, more people become uninsured or underinsured.
    — Sas Mukherjee, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of declines

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Cite this Entry

“De-escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalates. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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