de-escalate

verb

de-es·​ca·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 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 How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 nonstandard  -ˌe-skyə-
noun
de-escalatory
(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce de-escalate (audio)
 nonstandard  -ˈe-skyə-
adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though New Delhi rejected third-party mediation, Trump personally intervened to de-escalate tensions. Jack Rosen, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025 The husband then tried to retrieve his wife from behind their home in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 17 July 2025 The man who was shot Tuesday was one of about 1,200 peacekeepers paid to de-escalate conflicts and prevent possible retaliation in a specific set of city blocks. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025 Read more: Netanyahu at the Crossroads U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack on Wednesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Suwayda and urged all parties to de-escalate. Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for de-escalate

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of de-escalate was in 1964

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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