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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.

“But also, I just wish people would calm down ... try to talk to us, try to engage with us and help de-escalate the situation, instead of making it worse.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

When time is critical, the absence of urgency to de-escalate is itself informative.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

The "plan now has to be to de-escalate the conflict", Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

At PMQs, Sir Keir defended the government's handling of the issue and said the best approach involves working with others to "de-escalate the situation" in the region.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

In late January, Target signed a joint letter with dozens of other Minnesota-based businesses calling on state, local and federal officials to de-escalate tensions over immigration, but didn’t specifically call the federal actions wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

de-escalate

Example Sentences

Related Words