defuse
Americanverb (used with object)
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to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
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to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing.
to defuse a potentially ugly situation.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, etc)
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to remove the cause of tension from (a crisis, etc)
Commonly Confused
See diffuse
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defuse
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
US President Donald Trump frequently refers to Munir as his "favourite field marshal", after a rapport built during US efforts to defuse a short but intense armed conflict between Pakistan and rival India last year.
From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026
The former President informed the Clinton Administration that he intended to take up a prior offer from the North Koreans to visit and try to defuse the situation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Ritchson, according to the source, attempted to defuse the situation after Taylor allegedly dared him to get physical.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
It is not clear how long it will take to defuse the bomb.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
So I attempted to defuse the situation with a sober and sincere-sounding lie.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
