defuse

Or de·fuze

[dee-fyooz]

verb (used with object)

defused, defusing 

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)

defused, defusing 

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)

Confusables Note

See diffuse

Other Word Forms

• defuser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defuse¹

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

Example Sentences

Sabeti told him that Sadr's letter offered to help defuse the power of Islamic hardliners by working towards introducing policy changes that would appeal to more moderate elements of the opposition.

From BBC

Last year, Reynolds helped defuse a crisis when dozens of veterans living on the West Los Angeles campus fell in arrears and received eviction notices.

From Los Angeles Times

Eventually, the police were called to defuse the situation.

From Los Angeles Times

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has faced repeated questions from Labour MPs over the rollout of changes to the benefit system, as the government attempts to defuse a backbench rebellion.

From BBC

And his decision to do so immediately defused any tension there might have been as a result of the incident.

From BBC

Related Words

• alleviate 
• deactivate 
• lessen 
• soothe