de-escalate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
de-escalatesimple
-
de-escalatessimple
-
have de-escalatedperfect
-
has de-escalatedperfect
-
am de-escalatingprogressive
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are de-escalatingprogressive
-
is de-escalatingprogressive
-
have been de-escalatingperfect progressive
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has been de-escalatingperfect progressive
Past
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de-escalatedsimple
-
had de-escalatedperfect
-
was de-escalatingprogressive
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were de-escalatingprogressive
-
had been de-escalatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of de-escalate
Explanation
When something de-escalates, it's turned down a notch, becoming quieter or calmer. If you want to de-escalate an argument between siblings you're babysitting, you might try giving them both a popsicle. In politics, de-escalating a situation can be a matter of life and death, as when mediators help de-escalate a conflict in order to avoid a war between two countries or groups. Whenever someone de-escalates an argument, they take something with potential to turn ugly or even violent and tone things down so that the issues can be calmly discussed. Police officers, diplomats, and elementary school teachers all need to learn to de-escalate intense situations.
Vocabulary lists containing de-escalate
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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.
See Examples For:
AI companies in an effort to de-escalate concerns about the technology.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026
The diplomat added that "communications channels created to de-escalate any incidents are in place" after the strikes.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough to de-escalate the U.S.-Iran conflict have pushed oil prices down, NAB’s Sally Auld says in commentary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
“Our officers did the best they could to de-escalate that situation ... from occurring into something fatal.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
If the World Cup helps quicken the pace of moves to de-escalate, there could be a material impact on energy prices, supplies and the world economy.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
She hands out camping chairs, decides when it is safe to use the escalator, and de-escalates spats between people squabbling over a patch of floor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026
In time, Morgan Stanley expects the rate differentials to reassert themselves, once the conflict de-escalates.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
The guidance assumes that the conflict in the Middle East de-escalates over the near-term and that SAP will close its deal for Reltio.
From Barron's ● Apr. 23, 2026
A security worker de-escalates the situation, and a social worker helps them take some deep breaths.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2023
“It’s hard to see how the situation de-escalates from here,” wrote Madiha Afzal, a fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, in a text message.
From New York Times ● May 10, 2023
As the first phase of his most consequential military triumph ended, Johnson decided not to seek re-election and de-escalated in an effort to secure peace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
Though surprised, the officer seated at the wheel de-escalated the situation and helped the young man find his family, the father wrote to Movius.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026
It’s part of a pattern, he said, of federal officers jumping straight to use of force in situations that could have been de-escalated but instead create danger for both agents and their targets.
From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2026
Both sides have de-escalated tariff levels but their truce remains shaky and is set to expire in early November.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2025
On the international stage, there had been consternation that the tensions would not be de-escalated by the US, despite its diplomatic overtures during India and Pakistan's previous Kashmir clashes.
From BBC ● May 17, 2025
Talks between Cuba and the United States on de-escalating tensions are still at a "very preliminary" stage, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal told AFP on Tuesday.
From Barron's ● Apr. 7, 2026
Gold edged higher on signs of de-escalating Middle East tensions that could lead to lower oil prices and alleviate concerns over central banks’ rate increases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026
President Abdel-Fattah Sissi of Egypt also said Monday that his country had delivered “clear messages” to Iran about de-escalating the conflict.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026
Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel on Monday, reaching levels not seen since 2022, as the conflict showed no signs of de-escalating, adding to growing concerns of a lasting supply shock.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 9, 2026
This is attributed to a number of factors including major oil producers agreeing to keep output unchanged and signs of de-escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
