de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 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 How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 nonstandard  -ˌe-skyə-
noun
de-escalatory
(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 nonstandard  -ˈe-skyə-
adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Staff might call a peer support specialist to help de-escalate violence or ease a behavioral crisis. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 In return, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw to their side of the border, marking a mutual effort to de-escalate tensions in the region. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 Police attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect allegedly continued to threaten residents and officers with the chainsaw. Nbc Chicago, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2024 Both Burlingame and San Mateo police officers at the scene attempted to de-escalate the situation, but were unsuccessful. Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for de-escalate 

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of de-escalate was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near de-escalate

Cite this Entry

“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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