Synonyms of diffuse

diffuse 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈfyüs 

as in rambling

using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

a diffuse speech that took a great deal of time to make a very small point

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rambling
• exaggerated
• talkative
• communicative
• prolix
• verbose
• redundant
• circuitous
• conversational
• wordy
• circumlocutory
• pleonastic
• garrulous
• windy
• long-winded
• logorrheic
• voluble
• gaseous
• talky
• repetitious
• loquacious
• chatty
• periphrastic
• bombastic
• tautological
• gassy
• embroidered
• tautologous
• embellished
• gabby
• grandiloquent
• hifalutin
• highfalutin

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compact
• concise
• succinct
• terse
• pithy
• crisp
• short
• brief
• epigrammatic
• summary
• aphoristic
• condensed
• sententious
• abbreviated
• blunt
• compendious
• abrupt
• abridged
• shortened
• brusque
• curt
• laconic
• snippy
• brusk

diffuse

2 of 2

verb

as in to disperse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disperse
• dispel
• dissipate
• ray
• radiate
• stem
• split
• branch
• divide
• fan (out)
• fork
• diverge
• ramify
• derive
• emanate
• flow
• scatter
• proceed
• separate
• spread
• part
• issue
• arise
• uncouple
• splay
• unyoke
• unlink
• spring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate
• meet
• converge
• approach
• funnel
• near
• connect
• join
• unite
• centralize
• couple
• close in (on)
• link
• center (on)

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

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

Drugs that cross the BBB are typically fat-soluble molecules that diffuse directly through cell membranes, whereas larger or water-soluble molecules face significant challenges. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

Thankfully, congestion pricing has helped diffuse this situation across our central business district over the last month and a half. —Midori Valdivia, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025