'de-escalate' definitions:

Definition of 'de-escalate'

verb

Diminish in size, scope, or intensity; "The war of words between them de-escalated with time"

verb

Reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of; "de- escalate a crisis" [syn: de-escalate, weaken, step down] [ant: escalate, intensify, step up]

From: GCIDE

de-escalate \de-escalate\ v. t. to reduce in intensity (a crisis or a war). [WordNet 1.5]