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
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
Use silence to de-escalate conflict—In tense situations, a moment of silence can prevent emotional reactions from escalating.
—
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Family members have filed a lawsuit against the deputy, accusing him of failing to de-escalate the tension of what could have been a routine traffic stop.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the next 112 seconds, the officers entered his apartment, saw that Trawick was holding a bread knife near his stove, then tased and fatally shot him during an altercation in which the officers failed to de-escalate the situation, as the ProPublica report found.
—Colleen Hamilton, Them, 19 Feb. 2025
Steve is one of the first men to step in, sensing that things are spiraling, as the ladies scramble to de-escalate the situation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Family members have filed a lawsuit against the deputy, accusing him of failing to de-escalate the tension of what could have been a routine traffic stop.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025
Over the next 112 seconds, the officers entered his apartment, saw that Trawick was holding a bread knife near his stove, then tased and fatally shot him during an altercation in which the officers failed to de-escalate the situation, as the ProPublica report found.
—Colleen Hamilton, Them, 19 Feb. 2025
Steve is one of the first men to step in, sensing that things are spiraling, as the ladies scramble to de-escalate the situation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Articles Related to de-escalate
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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