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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

Examples 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
Also known as nutcracker esophagus or distal or diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), esophageal spasm is a rare disorder affecting about 1 in 100,000 people. Mark Gurarie, Health, 20 Dec. 2024 Allure interim commerce director Deanna Pai diffusing her hair with the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System Best Nordstrom Black Friday Makeup Deals ‘Tis the season for a makeup refresh at a discount. Annie Blackman, Allure, 29 Nov. 2024 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
  • Now, however, with the moa extinct, the fungi are likely not being dispersed as widely or as often.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Cunningham’s message to the group lasted no more than 30 seconds — with starting center Jalen Duren listening intently — but by the time the huddle dispersed, the team seemed unified.
    Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As in pro wrestling, each gesture needs to be the biggest, most exaggerated version of itself.
    James Poniewozik, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Agave price volatility has been a recurring feature of the agave/Tequila market; however, the breadth of price changes is exaggerated.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The group posts updates on Instagram, which so far have mostly served to dispel rumors of immigration agent sightings.
    Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Johnson on Sunday dispelled the notion that Trump would bring TikTok back without the company’s willingness to sell to a U.S.-based owner.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Claypool has missed the last five practices, and even while on the sideline during Monday’s practice, his talkative nature with some of the defenders did not go over well with the other side of the ball.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024
  • In 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary, what starts as a not-so-meet-cute between the talkative Bridget (Renée Zellweger) and the offensive Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) at a New Year's Eve party unfolds into one of the most swoon-worthy rom-coms the genre has to offer.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Specifically, the rapid drops of reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone impact the thermoregulatory centers of the brain - causing the body to attempt to dissipate the sudden heat through perspiration and heat influxes.
    Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Further, Samsung increased the size of the vapor chamber in the phones to help dissipate heat better, which should help with sustained performance.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For Teams: Normalize setting boundaries while remaining communicative.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Its hydraulic steering was extremely communicative, responsive, and busy, relaying every crease in the tarmac at all times — to the point of requiring a firm grip and faster than average hands — just the way any driving aficionado desires.
    Peter Nelson, The Verge, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Their attire and posture radiated an iconic, aristocratic style, exemplified by Vance's wife, who stood elegantly in her rose-pitch dress coat.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Today, the Quadrantids appear to radiate from the modern constellation Boötes, located in the northern part of the sky near the Big Dipper.
    Katrina Miller, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near diffuse

Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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