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
That’s because Putin is focused on Ukraine, and Norway is skilled in de-escalating tense standoffs.
—
Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Lyons credited Homan with de-escalating the situation.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Loon said de-escalating tensions is in the best interest of Minnesota’s business community.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Jan. 2026
Under intense military pressure, the STC’s leadership agreed to hold talks in Riyadh aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Lyons credited Homan with de-escalating the situation.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The sweeps, in addition to crowd-management responsibilities, are typically dealt with by local police, who often have more experience and training in de-escalating large demonstrations and tamping down civil unrest.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Loon said de-escalating tensions is in the best interest of Minnesota’s business community.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Jan. 2026
Under intense military pressure, the STC’s leadership agreed to hold talks in Riyadh aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalating
Verb
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Once in place, this will allow staff to care for guests’ most delicate garments while reducing harmful emissions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lower premiums were made possible by decreasing repair costs and fewer collisions in 2025, the company said.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In 2025, Ehardt co-sponsored a bill that would have removed ratios altogether — in a bid to increase the number of in-home day cares available by decreasing their regulation.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Read the story » More Top Stories David Remnick speaks with Conan O’Brien about prepping for the Oscars, the diminishing relevance of late-night TV, and the loss of his close friends Rob and Michele Reiner.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Police said the ice conditions subsiding and the low tide conditions made for a much easier search, which involved multiple drones.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During his speech on Tuesday, the President suggested that those prices were declining.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea have carried significant operating losses in recent years, topping £200m in each of the three seasons before last, as declining revenues combined with significant cost increases.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The end of the IEEPA tariffs could help the economy by easing inflationary pressures.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Ironically enough, the decision might give a boost to the economy, perhaps easing prices at a time when affordability is front and center in the midterm elections.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalating. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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