step down vs de-escalate

step down and de-escalate both are verbs.

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

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

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

Other synonyms of step down include weaken.

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