Standard Lemma guide

de-escalate

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /diːˈɛskəleɪt/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To decrease in intensity or magnitude.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disintensify, defuse

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • de-escalate a crisis

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: weaken, step down

Antonyms: escalate

Broader terms: decrease, lessen, minify

3

verb

Meaning 3

diminish in size, scope, or intensity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The war of words between them de-escalated with time

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: decrease, diminish, lessen, fall

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h1 Proto-Indo-European *déh1 Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- English escalate English de-escalate From de- + escalate.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: desescalar — to decrease in intensity or magnitude
  • Greek: αποκλιμακώνω (apoklimakóno) — to decrease in intensity or magnitude
  • Portuguese: desescalar — to decrease in intensity or magnitude
  • Spanish: desescalar — to decrease in intensity or magnitude
  • Swedish: trappa ned — to decrease in intensity or magnitude
  • Swedish: trappa ner — to decrease in intensity or magnitude