diffuse 1 of 2

Definition of diffusenext

diffuse

2 of 2

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
Movement was more diffuse near wetlands and along the Caloosahatchee River. Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026 Her cancer was an unusual and distinct kind called diffuse gastric cancer, in which cancerous cells percolate undetected through the stomach, forming obvious masses only in advanced stages—usually too late to treat. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The statement did little to diffuse the row. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026 The sun connecting with Neptune may diffuse your self-worth and belief in your skills. Usa Today, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • Despite this rambling semi-introduction, Newman’s film makes quick work of all of this, recognizing that getting to the Tova-and-Cameron show (with, of course, many guest appearances by Marcellus) is the entire point of the picture.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
  • Mardi is a rambling story, and reviewers were not kind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The situation has captured international attention as some passengers had disembarked and dispersed across multiple countries before the outbreak was fully understood, prompting some to draw comparisons to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
  • Wildfires often cross boundaries, for example from a national park into a national forest, and span dispersed remote areas where no one is monitoring visitation.
    Kyle Manley, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Others, pointing to the younger age profile of some Gaeltacht communities and the modest growth of urban Irish-speaking households, call predictions of the imminent demise of the language greatly exaggerated.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 May 2026
  • That moment, however, didn’t come without criticism, and Seymour still remembers the sharp commentary that came as a result of the exaggerated hairstyle.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Some hope offering family friendly recreation on the water can help dispel preconceptions about crime and public safety in the park.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
  • The ceasefire has done little to dispel it.
    Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • His mom describes him as talkative.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
  • Donovan is talkative, bubbly and outgoing, while Juan is more of a listener.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ballot propositions raising taxes for a specific popular need, but the funds go surprisingly into a general fund to be dissipated for political needs undisclosed to voters.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • The structure brings visitors below ground, from lightness to darkness, with sounds slowly dissipating.
    Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • This will set you both up for a healthier and more communicative relationship or will save you from spending time with someone whose values don’t align with yours.
    Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The emerging field calls for more refined methods to determine whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After tracking a large school of Mobula rays for some time, Bingqiam Gao decided to try a different approach: Get ahead and wait.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The PlayStation 5 Pro is a more powerful spin on the vanilla PS5, thanks to ray tracing and AI upscaling that give games a visual boost.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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