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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  • Proper tool care reduces disease spread and keeps your lawn and garden healthier.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 22 July 2026
  • Capital tied up in escrow reduces immediate proceeds and creates tension.
    — Bhaskar Ahuja, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • Some peptides are naturally produced in the body, such as insulin; which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that decreases blood sugar levels.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • As traffic in the waterway decreases, the oil market is facing the same squeeze that has taken millions of barrels offline per day since March.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 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
  • Eventually, the helicopter ejaculates a waterfall from its door, and the storm subsides.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • And once the temp subsides, a secret weapon like this can hide away in your hall closet until things heat up again.
    — Lindsey Mather, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
Definition of subsides
Verb
  • An engagement score declines, a review meeting goes flat, a survey response comes back indifferent—and the team responds.
    — Frank Auger, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • If a winner cannot be contacted; fails to respond within ten (10) days; is found ineligible; or declines the prize, The Athletic may select an alternate winner.
    — The Athletic, New York Times, 20 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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