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.

However often, "a few choice barks" or "a stern look from the big fella" is all it takes to de-escalate the situation, the senior officer added.

From BBC

If there's a "kernel of truth" in what they say, then acknowledging this can help "emotions de-escalate because they feel heard," Turner adds.

From BBC

While there have been serious exchanges of fire in the past, they de-escalated relatively quickly.

From BBC

Public pressure in both countries makes it harder for either side to de-escalate, increasing the risk of a public incident spreading into a broader confrontation.

From The Wall Street Journal

The release of novelist Boualem Sansal has de-escalated a crisis in relations between France and its former colony Algeria, but much work remains to be done to normalise ties deeply scarred by history.

From Barron's

de-escalate

Example Sentences

Related Words