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diffuse

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective diffuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diffuse are prolix, verbose, and wordy. While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style.

diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

When would prolix be a good substitute for diffuse?

The meanings of prolix and diffuse largely overlap; however, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details.

habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

When is verbose a more appropriate choice than diffuse?

While the synonyms verbose and diffuse are close in meaning, verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.

the verbose position papers

Where would wordy be a reasonable alternative to diffuse?

Although the words wordy and diffuse have much in common, wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity.

a wordy speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diffuse
Adjective
Dragonfly 44 and its ilk are known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs). Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2022 First, there are two ultra-diffuse galaxies that appear to be satellite members of a massive group dominated by NGC 1052: DF2 and DF4. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 22 June 2021
Verb
The carrier, a Black woman, tried to diffuse the situation but Valleau attempted to attack her through the passenger window. Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 The collection, fusing exaggerated silhouettes and structured romanticism with a touch of Moroccan-esque opulence — opens with diaphanous pieces in soft creams and peaches that diffuse light and create fluid movement. Angela Lei, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.
    Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
  • His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.
    Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But this year, Veach says, is different from others in the way the draft’s talent is dispersed.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Its more than $50 million budget was largely dispersed through grants to organizations to identify and combat disinformation from foreign adversaries.
    Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Funny and sad, exaggerated and honest, Youssef and Brady’s series offers escape and catharsis, all at the same time.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Melodrama gets a bad rap for being too exaggerated, and over-the-top but outrageous circumstances beget heightened emotions.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The president fired Krebs in a social media post for dispelling claims that the 2020 presidential election results were flawed.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This is how breaks with reality occur now, aided, in part, by the internet’s justification machine, which is an efficient mechanism for dispelling any trace of cognitive dissonance.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Finney-Smith has become one of the team’s most talkative players and a consistent source of energy.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • As Shrek sets out with his talkative sidekick Donkey, the adventure quickly evolves from a simple quest to a journey of self-discovery, unexpected relationships and a lot of hilarity along the way.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The money people know how to use that glaze-over stuff to be able to dissipate the outrage that would result if citizens really knew that politicians were being paid off for certain results.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Yet forecasters also warned that flooding could continue for several days in the affected areas even after the heavy rains have dissipated.
    Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Open, warm, and highly communicative, Chauffe, who performs as hemlock, has made a name for herself around the country by embracing a free-spirited and loose approach to her music and her everyday life.
    Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Image The accusations, however, that the institution’s leaders are neither approachable nor communicative will linger after Mr. Hill’s departure.
    Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Today, most of Micanopy’s activity radiates from Cholokka Boulevard.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Even outside of the event season, Pismo radiates that classic California charm with wide-open beaches, fresh seafood, and a town that greets everyone with a smile.
    Pismo Beach Conference and Visitor Bureau, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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