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Verb: escalate  'e-sku,leyt
  1. Increase in extent or intensity
    "The Allies escalated the bombing";
    - intensify, step up
Verb: de-escalate  de'es-ku,leyt
  1. Diminish in size, scope, or intensity
    "The war of words between them de-escalated with time"
     
  2. Reduce the level, intensity, size or scope of
    "de-escalate a crisis";
    - weaken, step down

Derived forms: de-escalates, de-escalated, de-escalating

Type of: decrease, diminish, fall, increase, lessen, minify

Encyclopedia: Escalate

De-escalate