What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deescalate
Example
The police officer tried to deescalate the situation by talking calmly to the suspect. [deescalate: verb]
Example
We need to deescalate the tension between the two countries before it turns into a full-blown war. [deescalate: verb]
alleviate
Example
The medication helped alleviate the patient's pain. [alleviate: verb]
Example
Donating money to charity can alleviate poverty in some communities. [alleviate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alleviate is more commonly used than deescalate in everyday language. Alleviate is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while deescalate is more specific and often used in situations involving conflict or tension.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between deescalate and alleviate?
Both deescalate and alleviate are formal words that are appropriate for use in professional or academic settings. However, deescalate may be more commonly used in law enforcement or political contexts, while alleviate may be more commonly used in healthcare or social work contexts.
