diffuse 1 of 2

Definition of diffusenext

diffuse

2 of 2

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

Example 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
Venus shines to the right in the image, surrounded by a diffuse haze as the sunlight reflected off its surface illuminates a wisp of cloud during its passage through Earth's atmosphere. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 June 2026 Lowbrow sources such as Sunday funnies, B movies, and advertisements are present but are more diffuse, rarely coalescing into obvious quotation. Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Verb
Layer monochromatic textures Lighter colors diffuse sunlight and reflected throughout a small bedroom. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 25 May 2026 It’s designed to diffuse special-interest power and eliminate politics from municipal hiring, firing and contracting. Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 22 June 2026
  • Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
    Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Police at one point ordered attendees to disperse and a Bay Area News Group photographer observed several people being detained.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
  • The corpse flower also raises its temperature on that first, most foul-smelling evening of the bloom, to further disperse the odor.
    Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • But outside experts and Ukrainian soldiers who spoke to CNN say Russia’s claims of advancement are exaggerated and come as the Kremlin is likely trying to project a narrative of success to counter the impact of recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • According to Nahmias, the low-top shoe’s design is meant to capture the mountainous ranges that meet the water throughout California and features an upper inspired by a popular skate shoe paired with an exaggerated sole made of lightweight materials.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Gillian leaps into action to dispel the magic, encouraging Sally to help bring their new friend back by putting hands on his body.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026
  • Doing business downtown has come with a level of uncertainty for the past six years, as the pandemic dispelled the usual foot traffic and downtown employers and workers negotiated hybrid work.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Llorca recalls the technician being talkative and upbeat throughout most of the exam.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • Some cat breeds are particularly chatty, and their talkative nature is perfectly normal.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Eventually the crowd dissipated, some to head to Arrowhead for the game itself, others to Fan Festival and still others to watch parties across the metro.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
  • The song’s spacious production lets its piercing saxophone riffs dissipate into silence, only for borderline obnoxious horns to swirl them back into rhythm.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Experts warn Warsh's less communicative approach risks increasing market volatility and borrowing costs, potentially forfeiting accountability gains.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • Even though the pilot doesn’t have all the information passengers might want to hear in that moment, Kennedy said, many would feel relief that the person in charge is transparent, communicative, and cognizant of their feelings and concerns.
    Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Scientists have long grouped sharks together as a natural evolutionary unit, meaning every shark species shares a common ancestor that rays and skates do not.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
  • The PlayStation 5 Pro is a more powerful spin on the vanilla PS5, thanks to ray tracing and AI upscaling that give games a visual boost.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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