Deescalate refers to the process of reducing tension or aggressiveness in a situation or conflict. The antonyms for the word deescalate are escalate, intensify, aggravate, provoke, heighten, and increase. When one seeks to escalate a conflict, he or she may intentionally or unintentionally worsen the situation, leading to more tension and aggression. Instead of working to deescalate a situation, individuals who seek to provoke conflict aggravate it, heightening the negative emotions and actions involved. Therefore, it is essential to understand the significance of deescalating a tense situation rather than making it worse by using antonyms such as escalate or provoke.