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

The principal’s most important objective was to foster a sense of unity and defuse tensions among faculty, some of whom chose or were selected to work at Winters Mill the following year. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025

The central bank of the People’s Republic of China is responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policies, preventing and defusing financial risks and maintaining financial stability. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025

Earlier last year, similar bombs near Cologne were discovered and defused. —Jim Clash, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

In the end, Edward renounced the throne and attempted to defuse the crisis, projecting an image of national unity. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1