definitions

defuse

or de·fuze

[ dee-fyooz ]
/ diˈfyuz /

verb (used with object), de·fused, de·fus·ing.

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), de·fused, de·fus·ing.

to grow less dangerous; weaken.

Nearby words

defs., deft, defunct, defunctive, defund, defuse, defusion, defuze, defy, deg, deg.

Origin of defuse

First recorded in 1940–45; de- + fuse1

Related forms

de·fus·er, noun

Can be confused

defuse diffuse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for defuser

defuse

sometimes US defuze

/ (diːˈfjuːz) /

verb (tr)

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

confusable

Avoid confusion with diffuse
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