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
Park security intervened, breaking up the fight as several tourists rushed to try and help de-escalate the altercation.
—
Moná Thomas, People.com, 3 June 2025
Chamberlain on Thursday emphasized the officer’s attempts to de-escalate the encounter.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Calva’s family and her attorney in the civil matter argued police should have de-escalated the situation by calling for a psychiatric emergency response team or a crisis negotiator due to her mental health concerns.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Judd told reporters the woman questioned why deputies waited so long to shoot, but the sheriff said his deputies were trying to de-escalate the situation.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Moná Thomas, People.com, 3 June 2025
Chamberlain on Thursday emphasized the officer’s attempts to de-escalate the encounter.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Calva’s family and her attorney in the civil matter argued police should have de-escalated the situation by calling for a psychiatric emergency response team or a crisis negotiator due to her mental health concerns.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Judd told reporters the woman questioned why deputies waited so long to shoot, but the sheriff said his deputies were trying to de-escalate the situation.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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