de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 

 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 

 nonstandard  -ˌe-skyə-

noun

de-escalatory

(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

 nonstandard  -ˈe-skyə-

adjective

Synonyms

• abate
• decrease
• dent
• deplete
• diminish
• downscale
• downsize
• drop
• dwindle
• ease
• knock down
• lessen
• lower
• reduce

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

Staff might call a peer support specialist to help de-escalate violence or ease a behavioral crisis. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

In return, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw to their side of the border, marking a mutual effort to de-escalate tensions in the region. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Police attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect allegedly continued to threaten residents and officers with the chainsaw. —Nbc Chicago, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2024

Both Burlingame and San Mateo police officers at the scene attempted to de-escalate the situation, but were unsuccessful. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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