DIFFUSE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

diffuse 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈfyüs

Definition of diffuse next

as in rambling

using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea a diffuse speech that took a great deal of time to make a very small point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diffuse

2 of 2

verb

as in to disperse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of diffuse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dragonfly 44 and its ilk are known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs). —

Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2022 First, there are two ultra-diffuse galaxies that appear to be satellite members of a massive group dominated by NGC 1052: DF2 and DF4. —

Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 22 June 2021

Verb

His advisers were urging him to send a message to his supporters to try to diffuse the situation. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024 Plus, the spoolie end can tame hairs and help to diffuse any heaviness. —

Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diffuse

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diffuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.