de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 

 nonstandard  -ˈe-skyə-

de-escalated; de-escalating; de-escalates

transitive verb

: limit sense 2b

de-escalate production

tried to de-escalate the tension

intransitive verb

: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope

violence began to de-escalate

de-escalation

(ˌ)dē-ˌe-skə-ˈlā-shən 

 nonstandard  -ˌe-skyə-

noun

de-escalatory

(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

 nonstandard  -ˈe-skyə-

adjective

Synonyms

• abate
• decrease
• dent
• deplete
• diminish
• downscale
• downsize
• drop
• dwindle
• ease
• knock down
• lessen
• lower
• reduce

Examples of de-escalate in a Sentence

first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room

the fighting de-escalated as the peace talks progressed

Recent Examples on the Web

The man was already turning away by then — perhaps his own way of de-escalating the situation. —Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 3 Nov. 2024

Poll respondents trusted Trump more on ending the Ukraine-Russia war, 53 percent to 39 percent; tackling the U.S.-Mexico border, 59 percent to 36 percent; and de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East, 48 percent to 36 percent. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024

Some important how-tos include how to de-escalate an argument, how to seek common understanding and how to politely exit a conversation that is not achieving a positive outcome. 3. —Irma Becerra, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Marcello tries to de-escalate the confrontation while Lenù looks on, scared. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late

(ˈ)dē-ˈes-kə-ˌlāt

: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope

de-escalate the war

de-escalation

(ˌ)dē-ˌes-kə-ˈlā-shən

noun