de-escalate

Or de·es·ca·late

[dee-es-kuh-leyt]

verb (used with or without object)

de-escalated, de-escalating 

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)

Other Word Forms

• de-escalation noun
• deescalation noun
• de-escalatory adjective
• deescalatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of de-escalate¹

First recorded in 1960–65; de- + escalate

Example Sentences

In October last year, India and China agreed on patrolling arrangements to de-escalate tensions along the disputed Himalayan border.

From BBC

But he says he then gave it away to another fan to ‘de-escalate the situation.’

From Los Angeles Times

"Our job is to de-escalate a situation. If we can't de-escalate that situation, then we let people know that we are switching the camera on," Ms Doherty said.

From BBC

At that point, Morales, a 24-year veteran of the Border Patrol, said he thought he needed to step in and de-escalate the situation between his fellow agent and Ramos-Brito.

From Los Angeles Times

India and China had agreed on patrolling arrangements to de-escalate tensions along the disputed Himalayan border in October last year.

From BBC

Related Words

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