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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of de-escalate
He was contacted a short distance away, on Orange Avenue, where officers tried to de-escalate the situation, including deploying beanbags and a police dog, Easter said.
—
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made calls to both sides in an attempt to de-escalate.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
And across the board, officers with stronger EQ are better at building informant networks, de-escalating tense scenes, and sustaining long-term careers without succumbing to burnout.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In one scene, when the Kid is accused of cheating at poker, Hill holds on Redford’s face in close-up for 60 seconds — an eternity for a Hollywood studio picture, even then — as Newman tries to de-escalate.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made calls to both sides in an attempt to de-escalate.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
And across the board, officers with stronger EQ are better at building informant networks, de-escalating tense scenes, and sustaining long-term careers without succumbing to burnout.
—Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In one scene, when the Kid is accused of cheating at poker, Hill holds on Redford’s face in close-up for 60 seconds — an eternity for a Hollywood studio picture, even then — as Newman tries to de-escalate.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalate
Verb
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Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, parlay bets are getting more complicated as time goes on, decreasing the chances of winning.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
In early January, the restuarant closed for two weeks to regroup after sales decreased by 37%.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bean and squash yields (as measured by weight) were reduced when intercropped with maize, while maize yields were only slightly diminished when intercropped.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Oct. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By day 10, my entire nervous system was hijacked—every fiber of my being was at ease, and all cravings subsided.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Oct. 2025
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Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The agency recently announced a plan to ease regulations on climate pollutants known as hydrofluorocarbons.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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That Israel and Hamas have agreed the first phase of a Gaza peace plan in the last 48 hours is unlikely to significantly ease that tension.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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