De-escalate
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /diːˈɛskəleɪt/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: De-escalate is a verb meaning (ambitransitive) To decrease in intensity or magnitude.
Meaning
(ambitransitive) To decrease in intensity or magnitude.
Example Sentences
We asked authors to consider two scenarios imaginable in the next five years. In the first scenario, a minor skirmish escalated into a multiweek maritime blockade of Taiwan by China. Although several dozen members of the Chinese and Taiwanese military were killed, U.S. intervention eventually forced China to de-escalate.
Word Forms
- de-escalates
- de-escalating
- de-escalated
- deescalate
Synonyms for de-escalate
Depending on context, synonyms include disintensify, weaken, step down.
Antonyms for de-escalate
Common opposites include intensify, escalate, step up.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include weaken, step down, lessen, reduce, diminish, decrease.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.