de-escalate vs step down

de-escalate and step down both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
de-escalate	No	No	Yes	No
step down	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, de-escalate and step down are synonyms defined as:

de-escalate and step down: reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of

Other synonyms of de-escalate include weaken.

de-escalate (verb)	step down (verb)
reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of	reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
diminish in size, scope, or intensity	give up or retire from a position