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Definition of deescalation

deescalation

/diːˌɛskəˈleɪʃən/
(UK: de-escalation)
de · es · ca · la · tion
Plural:deescalations
•
Adjective:deescalatory
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deescalation Lexical Profile

deescalation Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A reduction in the intensity, scope, or severity of a conflict, crisis, or potentially volatile situation.

Example

"The mediator's calm tone and active listening skills were crucial to the rapid deescalation of the workplace dispute."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for deescalation
Antonyms
View all antonyms for deescalation

Word Nuance & Usage

While often spelled without a hyphen as 'deescalation' in informal contexts, the hyphenated spelling 'de-escalation' is strongly preferred in edited journalism and academic prose to prevent mispronouncing the double 'e' as a single long vowel.

• Rhymes for deescalation

• Nearby Words

deerskin
deerstalker
deescalate
deescalation
deet
def
deface

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century during the Cold War by adding the Latinate privative prefix 'de-' to 'escalation', which itself was a back-formation from 'escalator' (ultimately from Latin 'scala', meaning 'ladder').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deescalation. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deescalation
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