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View synonyms for defuse

defuse

or de·fuze

[ dee-fyooz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·fused, de·fus·ing.
  1. to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
  2. to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing:

    to defuse a potentially ugly situation.



verb (used without object)

, de·fused, de·fus·ing.
  1. to grow less dangerous; weaken.

defuse

/ diːˈfjuːz /

verb

  1. to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, etc)
  2. to remove the cause of tension from (a crisis, etc)


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Usage

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Other Words From

  • de·fuser noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of defuse1

First recorded in 1940–45; de- + fuse 1

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Example Sentences

It’s set to go off early next year unless Congress defuses it soon.

From Fortune

It may help defuse resentment if you think of your parent co-workers as being incapacitated by the novel coronavirus, similar to someone on sick leave.

Every democratic country in the world faces the same challenge, but none can defuse it alone.

Intoxicated, he said, he got into an argument with several underage girls, so four or five police officers approached to defuse the situation.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture has sought to defuse anxiety by declaring “total confidence” in its ability to ensure grain supply, noting that the country produces more than 95 percent of the grains it needs.

From Ozy

But they still could have done more to defuse the calls for violence from their allies.

But will adding the real military defuse a situation many say has been inflamed by aggressive police?

Principle-based decision making could boost perceived integrity and defuse an overly personalized DC political climate.

One possible way to defuse the financial incentives and advantages to doping is to legalize it.

Utilities and energy-efficiency programs have helped defuse the high cost of the Nest.

At one base I was waiting when they wheeled in a stretcher with the remains of an Englishman who had been trying to defuse a bomb.

The stem of the black alder of this country before mentioned as arriving to great size, is simply branching and defuse.

So we had our people in Gdynia defuse the thing after it was put on board the ship, but otherwise leave it entirely alone.

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