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
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
Trump told the conservative publication that the two leaders have engaged in multiple discussions over the past weeks, focusing on strategies to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 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
Friction point: Minneapolis has aimed to contract with an array of non-profit groups to offer on-the-street interventions to de-escalate situations that could turn criminal.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for de-escalate
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Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Trump told the conservative publication that the two leaders have engaged in multiple discussions over the past weeks, focusing on strategies to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 19 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
Friction point: Minneapolis has aimed to contract with an array of non-profit groups to offer on-the-street interventions to de-escalate situations that could turn criminal.
—Kyle Stokes, Axios, 12 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 2025.
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