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.
As the situation escalates, Iris’ good friends Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Kenny (John Reynolds) arrive at the house and try to de-escalate the situation. Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025 For now, Trumpian aggression has won the day: U.S. and Colombian diplomats—who know each other well and are used to collaborating closely—had little trouble finding a compromise to de-escalate the crisis. Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025 The move is part of the rebels' ongoing effort to de-escalate tensions following a ceasefire in Gaza. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Most of the San Antonio police officers shot while trying to de-escalate a possible suicide Wednesday are heading home to recover, the San Antonio Police Department said in a Facebook post. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025 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 6 Feb. 2025.

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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