Synonyms

defuse

American

[dee-fyooz] / diˈfyuz /

Or defuze

verb (used with object)

defused, defusing

to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing.

to defuse a potentially ugly situation.

verb (used without object)

defused, defusing

to grow less dangerous; weaken.

defuse British

/ diːˈfjuːz /

verb

to remove the triggering device of (a bomb, etc)
to remove the cause of tension from (a crisis, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Commonly Confused

See diffuse

Other Word Forms

defuser noun

Etymology

Origin of defuse

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

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

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

If older couples start arguing about money, their tax preparer can try to defuse tensions by looking ahead and conjuring a worst-case scenario.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

The Turkish government mounted a diplomatic effort to avoid the current U.S. and Israeli military offensive on Iran, and Turkish officials say they have continued to push to defuse the crisis in recent days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

I know now that she was just trying to defuse the situation.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023