de-es·ca·late or
de·es·ca·late 
(d
ē-
ĕs
k
ə-l
āt
′)
v. de-es·ca·lat·ed, de-es·ca·lat·ing, de-es·ca·lates or de·es·ca·lat·ed or de·es·ca·lat·ing or de·es·ca·lates
v.tr. To decrease the size, scope, or intensity of (a war, for example).
v.intr. To decrease or diminish in size, scope, or intensity: The birth rate has begun to de-escalate.
de-es′ca·lation n.
de-esca·la·tor′y (-lə-tôr′ē) adj.