deescalate
Calm things down
Deescalate means to reduce the intensity or severity of a conflict, crisis, or tense situation.
Police are trained to deescalate confrontations before they turn violent.
Nations deescalate military standoffs by withdrawing troops or opening negotiations.
She tried to deescalate the argument by lowering her voice.
Also spelled de-escalate.
Gently ease discomfort
- pacifyTo calm agitation
- defuseRender harmless
- placateLessen someone's anger
- mollifyReduce anger or distress
appease · calm down · cool off · settle · compose · quiet · ease · relax
Render harmless
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- hostage negotiationCommunication to release captives
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- tactical retreatIntentional pullback for advantage
crisis response · containment · crowd control · active listening · compliance · surrender · stand down · back off
Intervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
reconciliation · conciliation · arbitration · talks · ceasefire · truce · armistice · peace talks
soothe
Gently ease discomfort
mollify · appease · calm down · cool off · settle · compose · quiet · ease · relax · gentle
defuse
Render harmless
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- hostage negotiationCommunication to release captives
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
tactical retreat · crisis response · containment · crowd control · active listening · compliance · surrender · stand down · back off · disengage
mediation
Intervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
compromise · reconciliation · conciliation · arbitration · talks · ceasefire · truce · armistice · peace talks · summit
reduce
Make smaller in degree
minimize · lessen · downgrade · scale back · step down · tone down · dial back · wind down · taper · moderate
- intensity changesincrease, decrease, intensify, amplify, diminish
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
- demobilizationdemob, demobilize, demobilization, disband, disbanding