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
To de-escalate, Wesley offered to buy the man and the younger woman a beer and talk things over.
—
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Every couple fights, but the ones who stay together are those who know how to de-escalate tension and, most importantly, reconnect.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
And while wary of Tehran's regional ambitions, Riyadh and others have reopened channels with the Islamic Republic in recent years in a bid to de-escalate.
—Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
The delay might indicate that Mexico still hopes to de-escalate Trump's trade war.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Every couple fights, but the ones who stay together are those who know how to de-escalate tension and, most importantly, reconnect.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
And while wary of Tehran's regional ambitions, Riyadh and others have reopened channels with the Islamic Republic in recent years in a bid to de-escalate.
—Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
The delay might indicate that Mexico still hopes to de-escalate Trump's trade war.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Standardization can also reduce due diligence burdens.—
The Sorenson Impact Institute,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
This has, among other losses, reduced Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal by about eight hundred million dollars a month.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In terms of a mechanism, the rejection seems to decrease levels of a neuropeptide in the brain, which increases after mating, leading Heberlein et al.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2025
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Keeping those cuts on the books would decrease revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 through 2034, according to estimates from the Tax Foundation.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2025
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Projections of soaring power demand in the U.S. have led utility executives to turn to whatever power source is available—including wind and solar—even as the Trump Administration tries to diminish renewables.—
Justin Worland/Houston,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The swelling in the area never subsided, prompting surgery to clean up bone spurs that had traveled dangerously close to his Achilles tendon.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
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The rain, expected to begin late Sunday, will subside by Monday afternoon, but below-average temperatures will hang around all week, according to the National Weather Service.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Officials have repeatedly hinted at its plan of further rate easing this year but have not yet followed through.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
21 Mar. 2025
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Automation offers relief by assisting with tasks like weapon screening, easing staff burdens and speeding operations.—
Chris Ciabarra,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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