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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.

Furthermore, efforts by the U.S. and Iran to de-escalate the conflict could mean oil prices peaked in March.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Pakistani officials say they remain hopeful both sides could agree to de-escalate and meet again.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

"Our overriding priority is to de-escalate this conflict, open up the Strait and prevent disruption to passengers."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 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

"As a responsible major power, China will continue to play a constructive role and make efforts to de-escalate tensions and quell the conflict," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Vocabulary lists containing de-escalate

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