de-es·ca·late or de·es·ca·late 
(dē-ĕskə-lāt′)
(dē-ĕskə-lāt′)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.