1
as in reduced
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 decreased
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
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Recent Examples of de-escalated
The conflict was de-escalated by a 2019 peace deal between the government and 14 armed groups.
—
ABC News, 30 Mar. 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.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 30 Mar. 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.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The situation de-escalated after the USS McCaul responded to the scene and escorted the tanker with air support.
—Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Trump’s tactic risks reopening fraught geopolitical wounds with Beijing, following its bruising trade war with Washington that de-escalated late last year.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Officers de-escalated the scene, and there were no arrests made, police told the outlet.
—Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and arrested 22-year-old Antonio Mellon.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Officers de-escalated the situation and got him safely to the ground, Caylor said.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalated
Verb
-
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Seen from this perspective, ecology cannot be reduced to questions of proximity alone.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That was in 2021, when league revenues decreased as a result of the pandemic.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Shooting percentages rapidly decreased after the intermission, and each team scored just 11 points in the third quarter.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Almost immediately, all his physical woes subsided.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Johnson said Boulder County's restrictions will stay in place until the fire danger has consistently subsided.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Floorboards were milled from walnut trees felled at a construction site in North Carolina.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
2 Apr. 2026
-
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Taubel believes some of the supply problems have eased as early cultivator licensees' initial plants have fully grown and are cultivated.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices eased slightly during the day, but still remain elevated well above $100 per barrel.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“De-escalated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalated. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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