defuse

verb

de·​fuse (ˌ)dē-ˈfyüz 

defused; defusing; defuses

transitive verb

1

: to remove the fuse from (a mine, a bomb. etc.)

2

: to make less harmful, potent, or tense

defuse a crisis

Did you know?

defuse or diffuse?

Many people find it difficult to remember the difference between defuse and diffuse, and when faced with the need for one of these words simply grab whichever one first comes to mind. But it needn’t be this way: the meanings of these two are quite a bit different, and there is a simple way to differentiate between them. Defuse is formed by adding the prefix de- to the word fuse; you are removing the fuse (either literally or figuratively) when you defuse a situation, much as defanging something entails removing the fangs. Diffuse, when used as a verb, tends to carry meanings such as “spread” or “scatter.” Additionally, diffuse is the only one which may be found used as an adjective.

Examples of defuse in a Sentence

Skilled negotiators helped defuse the crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Talks between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China’s vice premier over months eventually defused that tension, and tariffs were lowered. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026

The blur outside becomes enveloping and unfathomable; the universe inside the car evolves as the friends invent tension-defusing rituals to keep from screaming at one another. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Daniel Tucker, a leader with Stand Up KC, can be seen in the video pleading with Miller to walk out of the room with him to try and defuse the tense moment. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026

Like many presidents, his one-liners were often meant to defuse crises. — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for defuse

• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes
• ensues