de-escalate
verb
de-es·ca·late
(ˌ)dē-ˈe-skə-ˌlāt 
nonstandard -ˈe-skyə-
de-escalated; de-escalating; de-escalates
: limit sense 2b
de-escalate production
tried to de-escalate the tension
: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope
violence began to de-escalate
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
Family members and neighbors questioned why police did not do more to de-escalate the situation or use nonlethal weapons.
—
John Bacon, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Both nations have huge incentives to work out a deal that could at least de-escalate the trade war.
—Bob Davis, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
Gary Police tried to speak to the man through a back door, trying to de-escalate the situation, but the man shot through the door four times in the direction of officers, the release stated.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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John Bacon, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Both nations have huge incentives to work out a deal that could at least de-escalate the trade war.
—Bob Davis, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
Gary Police tried to speak to the man through a back door, trying to de-escalate the situation, but the man shot through the door four times in the direction of officers, the release stated.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.
—CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
Cite this Entry
“De-escalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/de-escalate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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