de-escalate
verb
de-es·ca·late
(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard -ˈe-skyə-
de-escalated; de-escalating; de-escalates
: limit sense 2b
de-escalate production
tried to de-escalate the tension
: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope
violence began to de-escalate
Synonyms
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
Empathy helps de-escalate tensions and enables a shift from argument or blame to real problem-solving.
3.
—
Danny Ertel, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
In other examples, Nolan has helped de-escalate situations when people experienced mental health episodes in local coffee shops and churches.
—Ishita Chordia, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
The specialists also provide support services and often respond to crime scenes, working to de-escalate tensions and derail retaliatory attacks.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2024
Yet both Democratic and Republican administrations have proved that engagement works to de-escalate tensions and scale back North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
—Christine Ahn, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for de-escalate 
Danny Ertel, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
In other examples, Nolan has helped de-escalate situations when people experienced mental health episodes in local coffee shops and churches.
—Ishita Chordia, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024
The specialists also provide support services and often respond to crime scenes, working to de-escalate tensions and derail retaliatory attacks.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2024
Yet both Democratic and Republican administrations have proved that engagement works to de-escalate tensions and scale back North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
—Christine Ahn, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for de-escalate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'de-escalate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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