1
as in reduced
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 decreased
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-escalated
The conflict was de-escalated by a 2019 peace deal between the government and 14 armed groups.
—
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalated
Verb
-
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Seen from this perspective, ecology cannot be reduced to questions of proximity alone.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the past forty years, men’s wages have decreased as a percentage of over-all family income, while broader wealth inequalities and job insecurity have grown.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In two of six Minneapolis areas, overall crime decreased 43% and 56% respectively, while, in all other areas, overall crime rose.—
Eric Adler
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Government officials say new detentions have subsided since then, as the number of ICE officers in Minnesota has receded from a high of around 3,000 to close to their previous levels of over 100.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet during the talks, Iran has eased some restrictions on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sam Metz,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
At the same time, longer-term inflation expectations eased.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalated. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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