defuse
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de·fuse

transitive verb \(ˌ)dē-ˈfyüz\

Definition of DEFUSE

1
: to remove the fuse from (as a mine or bomb)
2
: to make less harmful, potent, or tense <defuse the crisis>

Examples of DEFUSE

  1. Skilled negotiators helped defuse the crisis.
  2. Her joke diffused the tension in the room.

First Known Use of DEFUSE

1943

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