Definitions

de-escalate

[dee-es-kuh-leyt] / diˈɛs kəˌleɪt /

VERB

lessen

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curtail decrease dilute diminish dwindle ease erode impair lighten minimize mitigate narrow shrink slacken taper off weaken

STRONG

abridge amputate attenuate clip close contract crop cut decline degrade downsize drain minify moderate soft pedal taper thin truncate

WEAK

become smaller cut back die down grow less roll back slack up slow down take the bite out take the edge off take the sting out wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase intensify irritate lengthen prolong strengthen worsen

STRONG

go up rise stretch

WEAK

raise

VERB

lower

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail cut cut down decrease depreciate devalue diminish downgrade knock off lessen pare scale down slash soften

STRONG

abate clip decry deflate demote devaluate downsize moderate prune shave undervalue

WEAK

cut back mark down roll back tone down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise

WEAK

elevate heighten

VERB

subside

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate descend diminish dwindle ease ease off ebb melt peter out recede slacken wane

STRONG

collapse decline drop fall lower lull moderate quieten settle sink taper

WEAK

cave in die away let up level off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong rise

STRONG

ascend go up

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.

"The real challenge lies here: fundamental work to de-escalate tensions. This involves families, teaching staff, elected officials, and every citizen. This is a fight we must wage together."

From BBC

Middle Eastern officials involved in efforts to de-escalate the tensions say they are downgrading expectations for Friday’s meeting following their conversations with Iranian diplomats.

From The Wall Street Journal

—Oil prices slipped on signs of de-escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with officials from both countries set to meet in Turkey this week.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s part of a pattern, he said, of federal officers jumping straight to use of force in situations that could have been de-escalated but instead create danger for both agents and their targets.

From Salon

This is attributed to a number of factors including major oil producers agreeing to keep output unchanged and signs of de-escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

From BBC

de-escalate

Example Sentences

Related Words