diffuse 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈfyüs How to pronounce diffuse (audio)
Definition of diffusenext
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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
The production’s adventurousness, traversing every corner of Brad Bentz’s scenic design, can have a diffuse effect. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Community and social support is diffuse, relational, and hard to measure. — Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Differences between the mid- and forebrain seem to arise later, and largely due to the action of signaling molecules that diffuse through the developing brain and provide positional information. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 The matte finish is perfect to diffuse skin while adding dimension. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
  1. rambling
  2. disperse
  3. exaggerated
  4. dispel
  5. talkative
  6. dissipate
  7. communicative
  8. ray
Adjective
  • The rambling, low-slung main residence was extensively renovated by the couple, who also expanded with a separate building that’s tucked up under a vast lawn.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Dylan Young and his Melbourne group fill their third album with winsome and warm tracks whose best moments combine rambling guitars with tales of bruising regret.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of rambling
Verb
  • As the twentieth century dispersed Russia’s literati, some left this nostalgic concept behind, while others trailed its shadow with them into exile, burying themselves in the great Russian novels that had formed its foundation.
    — Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
  • This sudden phase transition let the target act as an immediate shock absorber, dispersing kinetic energy at the molecular level thanks to graphite’s softer carbon structure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of disperse
Adjective
  • The person reading the issue lowered it to reveal a face tense with anger, devilishly exaggerated by his thin black beard and mustache.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • These Trump-supporting immigration restrictionists argue that reports of abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are exaggerated and the need for mass deportations is urgent.
    — Alex Hinton, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of exaggerated
Verb
  • Fears that Kirk would not work well with the Democratic cabinet were dispelled by Broward Williams, celebrating his retention of the state treasurer’s office at his home at Tallahassee.
    — Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Washington’s trade truce with Beijing has dispelled illusions that the transatlantic partners form a united front and made European partners doubt that the United States will come to their aid.
    — THEODORE BUNZEL, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of dispel
Adjective
  • Elementary school students may have tantrums, be clingy, have toileting accidents, engage in uncontrollable crying or become less talkative as a result of changes in schools, homes and caregivers.
    — Nikki R Wooten, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In the past, Cooper has had an active online life, a cheerful and talkative presence behind his thick black beard.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of talkative
Verb
  • The Game 7 jitters both teams had in the first half seemed to dissipate a bit as the second half got underway.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Also, these happen, on average, billions of light-years from us, so the energy is dissipated to far less than that of the beat of a bat’s wing on Earth.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissipate
Adjective
  • Through the administration’s embrace (and extensive personal leveraging) of crypto’s potential, crypto and retail speculation are increasingly being woven into the fabric of communicative and cultural spaces.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The arrival ceremony suggested that others understood the communicative potential of clothes at such an event, too.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of communicative
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
Definition of ray

Browse Nearby Words

diffidently
diffuse
diffused
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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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