de-escalation
Americannoun
Explanation
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.
Risk proxies should start the week firmer on U.S.-Iran de-escalation hopes, but FX markets may hesitate to chase gains as details around Iran’s nuclear program and uranium enrichment remain unclear, the bank says.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
Oil futures declined on Wednesday following comments from President Donald Trump that the war in Iran would be ended “very quickly,” with investors remaining uncertain about the potential for de-escalation.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
After a flare-up in tensions around the American effort to unblock shipping traffic, markets appeared to welcome apparent de-escalation External link between Washington and Tehran.
From Barron's • May 6, 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 agreement marks a de-escalation between two of the world’s most storied gun makers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 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.
