1
as in reducing
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 decreasing
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-escalating
Nolan is clearly not an expert criminal, and Tully’s team would do better to focus on de-escalating the situation.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
And across the board, officers with stronger EQ are better at building informant networks, de-escalating tense scenes, and sustaining long-term careers without succumbing to burnout.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Steve’s team is constantly de-escalating such conflict.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
These are essential for de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
While the department conducted no formal internal review, Hopkins said the KCFD has been working with union leaders to implement strategies and tactics aimed at de-escalating tense situations that could lead to violence, as well as defensive training.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
And across the board, officers with stronger EQ are better at building informant networks, de-escalating tense scenes, and sustaining long-term careers without succumbing to burnout.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Steve’s team is constantly de-escalating such conflict.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
These are essential for de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
While the department conducted no formal internal review, Hopkins said the KCFD has been working with union leaders to implement strategies and tactics aimed at de-escalating tense situations that could lead to violence, as well as defensive training.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalating
Verb
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Solutions like breathable film packaging and smart logistics play a crucial role in reducing waste and prolonging shelf life.—
William Jones,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding sugar, eliminating tobacco, and curbing or skipping alcoholic beverages altogether, play a role in reducing early breast cancer recurrence.—
Marnie Goodfriend,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s due to home price growth that is mostly flat or slightly declining because of decreasing demand and increasing supply, according to the National Association of Home Builders.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
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This reflectivity is known as albedo, and Earth’s overall albedo has been decreasing for decades.—
Ryan Green,
Scientific American,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This pattern of visits from Americans of steadily diminishing rank (watch for a visit from a deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service in mid-January) suggests the opposite of sustained attention.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
26 Oct. 2025
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Hormone therapy is often an effective option for menopausal women who are experiencing these uncomfortable symptoms due to the diminishing levels of ovarian hormones.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Land is subsiding in the Ranegras Plain basin and groundwater is declining faster than the rate of replenishment, the Arizona Department of Water Resources informed residents gathered in Brenda at the Desert Gold RV Resort.—
Clara Migoya,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Permafrost is also thawing, land is subsiding, and sea-level rise is adding to the risk.—
Rick Thoman,
The Conversation,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Contract options exercised for 4 The club exercised contract options on Stephen Afrifa, Zorhan Bassong, Jansen Miller and John Pulskamp, while declining options for Tim Leibold, Nemanja Radoja, Ryan Schewe, Shelton and Mason Toye.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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However, her cousin the followed up, and the OP wrote back declining the invite.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His team were the dominant side throughout Saturday’s game, starting steadily before easing through the gears.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The reading brought a sigh of relief, easing concerns that the economy was facing a double whammy of a softening labor market with reaccelerating inflation.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalating. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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