deescalation
Calming things down
Deescalation is the reduction of intensity in a conflict or tense situation.
The term appears frequently in discussions of police training, diplomacy, and crisis intervention: The hostage negotiator focused on deescalation.
To deescalate is to calm things down rather than let them spiral.
Also spelled de-escalation.
Intervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- talksSpeaks with others
summit · arbitration · conciliation · accord · treaty · rapprochement · ceasefire · armistice
Neutralizing an explosive device
- stand-downWithdrawal from combat readiness
- disarmamentReducing or eliminating weapons
- demilitarizationRemoval of armed forces
- withdrawalAct of taking away
pullback · truce · ceasefire · stepping back · backing down · disengagement · peacekeeping · buffer zone
Help during acute emergencies
- hostage negotiationCommunication to release captives
- conflict resolutionSettling disputes between parties
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- police trainingPreparing officers for duty
mental health response · peer support · bystander intervention · restorative justice · suicide prevention · threat assessment
Inducing a settled state
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- diffusingSpreading particles or light
- cooling downGradual temperature reduction
- stepping backMoving away backward
breathing room · composure · restraint · patience · active listening · empathy · reassurance · non-confrontational
mediation
Intervention to resolve conflict
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
talks · summit · arbitration · conciliation · accord · treaty · rapprochement · ceasefire · armistice · parley
defusing
Neutralizing an explosive device
- stand-downWithdrawal from combat readiness
- disarmamentReducing or eliminating weapons
- demilitarizationRemoval of armed forces
withdrawal · pullback · truce · ceasefire · stepping back · backing down · disengagement · peacekeeping · buffer zone · no-fly zone
crisis intervention
Help during acute emergencies
- hostage negotiationCommunication to release captives
- conflict resolutionSettling disputes between parties
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
police training · mental health response · peer support · bystander intervention · restorative justice · suicide prevention · threat assessment
calming
Inducing a settled state
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- diffusingSpreading particles or light
- cooling downGradual temperature reduction
stepping back · breathing room · composure · restraint · patience · active listening · empathy · reassurance · non-confrontational · measured response
- peacemakingnegotiation, mediation, peace agreement, mediate, pacifying
- emotional laboremotional support, emotional regulation, suppression, masking, comforting
- policingpatrol, police powers, arrests, police officer, arrest
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- Cooling Offchill, swim, fan, ice, shade
- Doublespeakcollateral damage, enhanced interrogation, friendly fire, regime change, neutralize
deescalationescalation
Progressive increase in intensity
intensification · provocation · amplification · aggravation · exacerbation
deescalationprovocation
Act that triggers response
aggression · confrontation · belligerence · antagonism · hostility
deescalationescalation
Progressive increase in intensity
military buildup · mobilization · troop surge · arms race · brinkmanship