defuse

American  

[dee-fyooz] / diˈfyuz /

Or defuze

verb (used with object)

defused, defusing

1. to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).

2. to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing.

   to defuse a potentially ugly situation.

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verb (used without object)

defused, defusing

1. to grow less dangerous; weaken.

defuse British  

/ diːˈfjuːz /

verb

1. to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, etc)

2. to remove the cause of tension from (a crisis, etc)

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Commonly Confused

See diffuse

Other Word Forms

• defuser noun

Etymology

Origin of defuse

First recorded in 1940–45; de- + fuse ¹

Example Sentences

China currently dominates the global supply, giving it crucial leverage, which helped Beijing reach a temporary trade truce with the US in November that defused tensions.

From BBC

That said, he expects some behind-the-scenes conversations between Chinese and U.S. counterparts over the next 24 to 48 hours that could defuse the situation.

From Barron's

That said, he expects some behind-the-scenes conversations between Chinese and U.S. counterparts over the next 24 to 48 hours that could defuse the situation.

From Barron's

She has tightened drug enforcement along the border, expelled imprisoned cartel bosses wanted by the U.S. and imposed 50% tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and other goods, defusing U.S. threats of harsher tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, China began to defuse the "Three Brotherhood Alliance" -- peeling away two of its factions based along its border with truces.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alleviate
• deactivate
• lessen
• soothe