Escalate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Related Entry: De-escalate (verb)

De-escalate is a different word from Escalate. The synonyms below are for de-escalate, not for escalate.

1. to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent

   "first, the mediator tried to de-escalate the tension in the room"

   similar: abate, decrease, dent, deplete, diminish, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce
   related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle, deflate, shrink, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, qualify
   opposite: aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise
   near: blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, swell, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to), complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, redouble

2. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

   "the fighting de-escalated as the peace talks progressed"

   similar: abate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
   related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish, slacken, slow (down), alleviate, relax, flag, sink, weaken, cave (in), collapse, deflate
   opposite: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax
   near: appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen