de-escalating

verb

present participle of de-escalate
1
as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreasing
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

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.
Recent Examples of de-escalating Still, there's a difference between de-escalating and going out of your way to explain away the actions of the player who just blasted one of your own. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 On Friday, attacks between the United States and Iran widened as the war showed no signs of de-escalating. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 Maybe a mental-health professional might have lowered the danger level, de-escalating the situation. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Bouchard credits the drones for de-escalating the situation. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 9 May 2026 Takaichi said the two leaders agreed on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict and to secure the safety of the vital waterway and the stable supply of goods. — ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 But if the conflict shows no sign of de-escalating before that point, giving security and confidence to F1 and the FIA that the events could go ahead without any risks, then the only course of action would be to cancel both races. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 That’s because Putin is focused on Ukraine, and Norway is skilled in de-escalating tense standoffs. — Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026 Lyons credited Homan with de-escalating the situation. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for de-escalating
  1. reducing
  2. decreasing
  3. diminishing
  4. subsiding
  5. declining
  6. easing
Verb
  • According to a news release, the program will track attendance and behavioral data with the primary goals being to improve school attendance and student grades while potentially reducing psychiatric hospitalizations.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That could lower capital and operating costs while reducing safety risks during production.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • Parton didn’t stop with Dollywood By the early 1990s, Parton created The Dollywood Foundation with the goal of decreasing the high school drop out rate in Sevier County, which was hovering around 30%.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Over several days, gradually increase the proportion of the new food while decreasing the old food.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of decreasing
Verb
  • But the war’s unintended consequences have spread far beyond the Middle East, affecting global security, diminishing America’s global standing, and potentially providing its adversaries with an opportunity to expand their influence.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As more money and attention flow into the space, the challenge is how to capitalize on the cultural cachet of the Grand Slams without diminishing what made that access desirable in the first place.
    — Jessica Schiffer, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of diminishing
Verb
  • Two of them coincide with areas where satellite radar shows that the ground is actively subsiding.
    — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Key Background The crisis appeared to be subsiding somewhat Friday as Spanish authorities said a majority of the 60,000 people who crossed into Ceuta from Morocco over the past several days had returned home.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of subsiding
Verb
  • The Little Rock School District faces declining enrollment and financial challenges.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The cliff bee population is declining due to overharvesting, habitat destruction and climate change.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of declining
Verb
  • Gladys Knight is ‘easing into fewer’ concerts after recent performances spark health concerns.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This week, Shin stated that despite easing US-Iran tensions, inflation in South Korea is expected to remain elevated for a prolonged period.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of easing

Browse Nearby Words

de-escalates
de-escalating
de-escalation
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Cite this Entry

“De-escalating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de-escalating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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