de-escalate

[dee-es-kuh-leyt] / diˈɛs kəˌleɪt /

VERB

lessen

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

abridge amputate attenuate clip close contract crop cut decline degrade downsize drain minify moderate soft pedal taper thin truncate

WEAK

become smaller cut back die down grow less roll back slack up slow down take the bite out take the edge off take the sting out wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase intensify irritate lengthen prolong strengthen worsen

STRONG

go up rise stretch

WEAK

raise

VERB

lower

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail cut cut down decrease depreciate devalue diminish downgrade knock off lessen pare scale down slash soften

STRONG

abate clip decry deflate demote devaluate downsize moderate prune shave undervalue

WEAK

cut back mark down roll back tone down write off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise

WEAK

elevate heighten

VERB

subside

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate descend diminish dwindle ease ease off ebb melt peter out recede slacken wane

STRONG

collapse decline drop fall lower lull moderate quieten settle sink taper

WEAK

cave in die away let up level off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong rise

STRONG

ascend go up

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.

Public pressure in both countries makes it harder for either side to de-escalate, increasing the risk of a public incident spreading into a broader confrontation.

From The Wall Street Journal

A summit to de-escalate Cold War tensions was planned the following month in Geneva with President Dwight Eisenhower, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin and the prime ministers of Great Britain and France.

From Seattle Times

Leaf also urged Palestinian and Israeli leaders to follow up on promises to de-escalate tensions, following a sharp uptick in violence.

From Seattle Times

The lawmaker said he was trying to obey commands and de-escalate the initial encounter, which was not captured on camera.

From Washington Post

After several conversations with Netanyahu, Biden cautiously called for a cease-fire, then ramped up his message and more forcefully urged the sides to de-escalate.

From Washington Post

de-escalate

Example Sentences

Related Words