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.
The female, whose age was not released, was able to escape the bedroom while responding officers tried to de-escalate the situation, police said, but Smith turned a gun toward an officer. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 The female, whose age was not released, was able to escape the bedroom while responding officers tried to de-escalate the situation, police said, but the male suspect turned a gun toward an officer. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 Instead of taking their behavior personally, try to use empathy to de-escalate the tension and improve communication. Diana Lowe, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 Once the situation was de-escalated, the police took down a domestic violence incident report, but determined that there was no crime committed, and thus no reason to arrest him. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 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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