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
Bouchard credits the drones for de-escalating the situation.
—
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Takaichi said the two leaders agreed on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict and to secure the safety of the vital waterway and the stable supply of goods.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
But if the conflict shows no sign of de-escalating before that point, giving security and confidence to F1 and the FIA that the events could go ahead without any risks, then the only course of action would be to cancel both races.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
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 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
Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Takaichi said the two leaders agreed on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict and to secure the safety of the vital waterway and the stable supply of goods.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
But if the conflict shows no sign of de-escalating before that point, giving security and confidence to F1 and the FIA that the events could go ahead without any risks, then the only course of action would be to cancel both races.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalating
Verb
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Some institutions, like the University of Arizona, are intentionally lowering class sizes to improve academic performance and graduation rates, while reducing scholarship expenses and national recruitment burdens.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
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Norway's smartphone ban has already yielded results, according to some studies, including increasing students' GPAs and reducing trips to mental health professionals, particularly among female students.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Others primarily improve quality of life, extend survival or delay complications without necessarily decreasing total lifetime healthcare expenditures.—
Jeffrey Wessler,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Orbán hopes the Patriots for Europe will be a vehicle for transforming the EU to his vision, for example, by decreasing the bloc’s purview in matters of rule of law and democracy, taking a zero-tolerance approach to immigration and steering toward deeper cooperation with Russia and China.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Not even a hint of repercussions for diminishing the integrity of the event.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
The 23-page analysis also pointed to escalating public health and social services costs, declining investments in capital improvements and an outsized reliance on state and federal tax dollars as drivers of the county’s diminishing financial health.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
Verb
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The afternoon started tough until the wind kept subsiding, and players began taking aim at flags.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Weather service and public safety officials said the safest thing to do is to stay away from the beaches altogether until the southern swells start subsiding.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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While potentially easing grid access for AI companies, this directive intensifies pressure on state and local governments.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Pittsburghers for Public Transit says the Parkway North corridor is key for moving people efficiently and easing traffic.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalating. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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