de-escalate

or de·es·ca·late

[ dee-es-kuh-leyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, de-es·ca·lat·ed, de-es·ca·lat·ing.

1. to decrease in intensity, magnitude, etc.:

   to de-escalate a war.

de-escalate

/ diːˈɛskəˌleɪt /

verb

1. to reduce the level or intensity of (a crisis, etc)

Derived Forms

• de-ˌescaˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• de-esca·lation de·esca·lation noun
• de-es·ca·la·to·ry de·es·ca·la·to·ry [dee-, es, -k, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of de-escalate¹

First recorded in 1960–65; de- + escalate

Example Sentences

You have to de-escalate this and she is causing it by her approaching with this weapon.

From The Daily Beast

The problem is that “the means to help de-conflict and de-escalate a crisis are simply not in place,” according to Crist.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

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