de-escalate
Reduce the tension
De-escalate means to reduce the intensity or severity of a conflict, crisis, or tense situation.
Police are trained to de-escalate confrontations before they turn violent.
Nations de-escalate by withdrawing troops or lowering rhetoric.
The word implies deliberate effort to step back from a dangerous threshold: Negotiators worked to de-escalate tensions at the border.
Render harmless
- calmFree from agitation
- cool downReduce temperature or intensity
- stand downWithdraw from readiness
- disengageBreak free from attachment
back off · step back · mediate · negotiate · truce · ceasefire · reconcile · resolve
Free from agitation
- sootheGently ease discomfort
- reassureEase someone's doubts
- pacifyTo calm agitation
- placateLessen someone's anger
diffuse · ease · alleviate · cool off · settle down · take a breath · simmer down · de-stress
Come between opposing sides
- step inInvolve oneself to help
- separateTo set apart
- redirectSend in new direction
- distractDivert someone's attention
active listening · crisis intervention · hostage negotiation · tone of voice · body language · compliance · cooperation · non-threatening
defuse
Render harmless
- calmFree from agitation
- cool downReduce temperature or intensity
- stand downWithdraw from readiness
disengage · back off · step back · mediate · negotiate · truce · ceasefire · reconcile · resolve · settle
calm
Free from agitation
placate · diffuse · ease · alleviate · cool off · settle down · take a breath · simmer down · de-stress · relax
intervene
Come between opposing sides
distract · active listening · crisis intervention · hostage negotiation · tone of voice · body language · compliance · cooperation · non-threatening · slow movements
- calmingcalm, calm down, soothe, relax, pacify
- peacemakingnegotiation, mediation, peace agreement, mediate, pacifying
- Reduceshrink, diminish, decrease, lessen, reduce
- retreatback away, back off, withdrawal, retreating, back up
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
- vertical motionascend, descend, rise, fall, climb