DE-ESCALATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does de-escalate mean? 

• DE-ESCALATE (verb)
  The verb DE-ESCALATE has 2 senses:

1. diminish in size, scope, or intensity

2. reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of

  Familiarity information: DE-ESCALATE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DE-ESCALATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they de-escalate    ... he / she / it de-escalates   
Past simple: de-escalated   
Past participle: de-escalated   
-ing form: de-escalating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Diminish in size, scope, or intensity

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The war of words between them de-escalated with time

Hypernyms (to "de-escalate" is one way to...):

decrease; diminish; fall; lessen (decrease in size, extent, or range)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

de-escalation ((war) a reduction in intensity (of a crisis or a war))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

de-escalate; step down; weaken

Context example:

de-escalate a crisis

Hypernyms (to "de-escalate" is one way to...):

decrease; lessen; minify (make smaller)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

escalate (increase in extent or intensity)

Derivation:

de-escalation ((war) a reduction in intensity (of a crisis or a war))