Synonyms

de-escalate

American

[dee-es-kuh-leyt] / diˈɛs kəˌleɪt /

Or deescalate

verb (used with or without object)

de-escalated, de-escalating

to decrease in intensity, magnitude, etc..

to de-escalate a war.

de-escalate British

/ diːˈɛskəˌleɪt /

verb

to reduce the level or intensity of (a crisis, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

de-escalation noun
de-escalatory adjective
deescalation noun
deescalatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of de-escalate

First recorded in 1960–65; de- + escalate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its goal appeared to be to amplify global alarm, which could create pressure to de-escalate the fighting, Dania Thafer, executive director of the Washington-based Gulf International Forum, said on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for restraint and urged all parties "to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the 'negotiating table'".

From BBC

“We would like to try to help de-escalate things,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

“So what can you do to assist somebody, or de-escalate somebody, or get information from someone who suffers from a sensory disorder?”

From Los Angeles Times

Both sides are less likely to de-escalate this time round, noted Lin and Govella in their analysis.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023