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• v  diminish in size, scope, or intensity
  The war of words between them de-escalated with time
• v  reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
  de-escalate a crisis

• If they don't want to de-escalate, they can remain on the border.
• It is not a great environment to try to de-escalate mental health patients, as you might expect.
• Deadlock failed to de-escalate cold war missile race.

• weaken
• step down

• escalate

News & Articles

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• Schaumburg police create Crisis Intervention Team
  Schaumburg police are organizing their own Crisis Intervention Team of officers specially trained to use language to de-escalate confrontations with people with particular challenges such as autism, mental illness, depression, and drug or alcohol abuse. "It doesn't mean they're committing a crime; it just means they're having a crisis moment," Patrol Commander Vince Liberio explained.
  June 14, 2013 - Daily Herald

Quotes

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• Stephen Hadley in FOXNews
  Hadley said, "I think President Putin wanted to de-escalate the tensions a little bit on this issue, and I think it was a useful thing that he did."
• Dana Perino in The Casper Star Tribune
  I want to reiterate on his behalf that the United States supports Georgia's territorial integrity. We urge all parties _ Georgians, South Ossetians and Russians _ to de-escalate the tension and avoid conflict,White House press secretary Dana...
• Terry Francona in USA Today
  I don't think we escalated anything. I don't know. I've got my hands full trying to de-escalate,Francona said. "We're in the middle of a pennant race here. We've got more important things to worry about. You can ask them. It wasn't the...