1
as in reduces
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreases
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the fighting de-escalated as the peace talks progressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalates
Verb
-
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025 -
Cold water reduces those problems for all your clothes and linens, giving them a longer lifespan.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s important because your power naturally and rapidly decreases as you age, Booker says.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, frequently reloading a gun before the ammo counter hits zero will present a Flaw called Overprepared, which increases each gun’s magazine size but temporarily decreases a character’s damage output if a gun does reach zero ammo before a reload.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the risk of over-generalizing, as the protein content of a drink rises, its deliciousness diminishes.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Coleman also pushed back against the notion that enthusiasm for AI diminishes the value of human work.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For example, a few kids experience increased hyperactivity or irritability in the first couple of weeks, but that typically subsides within a month.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In older men, as testosterone naturally declines, gynecomastia becomes more common, often combined with weight gain or medications that alter hormone levels.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Nazareth now declines to confirm whether the deal has been finalized off-screen or not.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“De-escalates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalates. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share