WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de-es•ca•late or de•es•ca•late /diˈɛskəˌleɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to decrease in intensity, danger, or amount: [no obj]:The war began to de-escalate.[ ~ + obj]:began to de-escalate the war.
de-es•ca•late
(dē es′kə lāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., v.i., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
de-es′ca•la′tion, de•es′ca•la′tion, n.
de-es•ca•la•to•ry, de•es•ca•la•to•ry
(dē es′kə lə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē),USA pronunciation adj.
- to decrease in intensity, magnitude, etc.:to de-escalate a war.
- 1960–65; de- + escalate