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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 major U.S. stock-market indexes have moved higher for three consecutive weeks on the news that the U.S. and Iran have been working together to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 19, 2026

“We underestimate the basics. Just being safe is a significant value. Invest in the safety and security. Your ability to de-escalate in your region and beyond is very critical,” said Al-Jadaan.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

“We should de-escalate the rhetoric and tactics,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Even as the war in Iran has seemed to de-escalate since a ceasefire began last week, we’ve recently witnessed just how out of hand things could possibly still get.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Wrack said teachers need professional training to help them "identify, challenge, and safely de-escalate behaviour rooted in online radicalisation, sexism, and hate."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Vocabulary lists containing de-escalate

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