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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 On the other hand, if the conflict with Iran de-escalates and oil prices settle down soon, bond yields could fall. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 You will be surprised by how often the familiarity of the song de-escalates the tension. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalates
  1. reduces
  2. decreases
  3. diminishes
  4. subsides
  5. declines
Verb
  • Billable hour pressure The billable hour is central to the business model of many law firms, but when AI significantly reduces the time lawyers spend sifting through and drafting documents, the economics are no longer so straightforward.
    — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • It can also be equipped with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 70 percent to meet IMO Tier III regulations.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • In addition, insulin sensitivity — or how effectively the body responds to the hormone insulin — also generally decreases at night.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The drink—also known simply as beet juice—decreases inflammation and is rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow more freely.
    — Christina Manian, HEALTH, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of decreases
Verb
  • By effectively raising the threshold in the playoffs, the NFL acknowledges that over-officiating diminishes the product and that marginal penalties should not decide its most important games.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Subtracting LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges somewhat diminishes the overall talent, but Charlotte wanted Miller and Knueppel to usher them into the next era.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishes
Verb
  • Chadchart said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials are working to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Ideally, those refugees would remain in human care for years or even decades until the mussel invasion subsides.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of subsides
Verb
  • Consumer Edge data similarly showed McDonald's year-over-year spending share declines narrowing across every income group in September.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Given her experience, Emily declines to participate in another trial.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of declines

Browse Nearby Words

de-escalated
de-escalates
de-escalating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“De-escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalates. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All