1
as in to reduce
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 to decrease
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-escalate
According to Ostermeier, lowering your voice and de-escalating the situation will help decrease your pet's fear and anxiety.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
In a separate statement, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said de-escalating the situation on the bridge so no one was hurt was a top priority for responding deputies.
—Antonia Hylton, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
The police attempted to de-escalate the scene by first ordering him to drop his lethal weapon, then employing a taser and the threat of a police dog.
—U T Opinion, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The news release says officers spent the half-hour attempting to de-escalate the situation before killing the person.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
In a separate statement, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said de-escalating the situation on the bridge so no one was hurt was a top priority for responding deputies.
—Antonia Hylton, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
The police attempted to de-escalate the scene by first ordering him to drop his lethal weapon, then employing a taser and the threat of a police dog.
—U T Opinion, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
The news release says officers spent the half-hour attempting to de-escalate the situation before killing the person.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Guided by billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration has moved aggressively the past week to fire probationary workers across federal departments and agencies in an effort to drastically reduce the size of the government.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Forgetting the environment for a moment, if nothing else, many consumers choose to reduce their meat consumption for their health and well-being.—
Shalom Daniel,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Unlike widening, which decreases the cost of driving and thus causes demand to rebound, congestion pricing regulates the cost of driving in a particular area or lane to tamp down on traffic, Burris explains.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025
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For its most recent financial results for the third quarter of 2024, net sales decreased 3.6 percent to $119.1 million over the quarter.—
James Manso,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Suitable for all skin types, the face oil hydrates while improving elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But when Herring gave these patients buprenorphine, their pain and nausea subsided quickly.—
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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In the case of the San Francisco Bay Area (specifically, Bay Farm Island, Corte Madera, Foster City and San Rafael), the researchers found that the land is subsiding at a rate of more than 0.4 inch each year as a result of sediment compaction.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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If there is a way for Germany to quickly ease its debt constraints that would be a positive.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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The congestion pricing plan, which launched on Jan. 5, charges passenger vehicles $9 to access Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours as part of an effort to ease congestion and raise funds for the city's public transit system.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
26 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to de-escalate
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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