de-escalation
Americannoun
plural
de-escalationsExplanation
When a potentially violent situation becomes less intense, reducing the likelihood of a conflict, that's de-escalation. Instead of another loud argument with your brother, you might aim for de-escalation. De-escalation is a technique that's used by a wide variety of people, from police officers to company managers to elementary school teachers to leaders of countries. Turning down the intensity of a disagreement, ideally getting people to discuss their issues instead of shoving each other (or starting a war) is what de-escalation is all about. The word comes from the prefix de-, "the opposite of," and escalate, or "raise," from a Latin root meaning "to climb."
Vocabulary lists containing de-escalation
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.
Tickmill said it remained under pressure as hopes of geopolitical de-escalation and progress toward a deal in the Middle East could reduce safe-haven demand.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
“Officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and regularly receive ongoing use of force training.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
The police officers face split-second decisions that could mean the difference between de-escalation or things getting dangerously out of control.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
By avoiding the worst of the selloff and rebounding from the de-escalation rally, Massabni said that bitcoin could have room to rise further should a more definitive end to the Iran war come into focus.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026
Most Iran experts don’t see these divisions as big enough to spoil a potential de-escalation.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 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.
