defuse

verb

de·​fuse (ˌ)dē-ˈfyüz 

defused; defusing; defuses

transitive verb

1

: to remove the fuse from (a mine, a bomb. etc.)

2

: to make less harmful, potent, or tense

defuse a crisis

Did you know?

defuse or diffuse?

Many people find it difficult to remember the difference between defuse and diffuse, and when faced with the need for one of these words simply grab whichever one first comes to mind. But it needn’t be this way: the meanings of these two are quite a bit different, and there is a simple way to differentiate between them. Defuse is formed by adding the prefix de- to the word fuse; you are removing the fuse (either literally or figuratively) when you defuse a situation, much as defanging something entails removing the fangs. Diffuse, when used as a verb, tends to carry meanings such as “spread” or “scatter.” Additionally, diffuse is the only one which may be found used as an adjective.

Examples of defuse in a Sentence

Skilled negotiators helped defuse the crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

His teammates, Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, both tried to intervene, but were unsuccessful in defusing the situation. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Rather, Miller Ink proactively manages each step to defuse tension and minimize disruption, echoing the decisive problem-solving approach Olivia Pope made famous on screen. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

Bomb technicians defused several live homemade explosive devices that were found next to an open suitcase near a North Texas park on Sunday, authorities said. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2025

The clerk's gun isn't clearly seen in the video, and he's seen holding his hands out toward Garza, apparently trying to defuse the situation. —Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for defuse

• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes
• ensues