defuse
verb (used with object)
to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
had defused
-
past perfectof defuse.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
A barrister representing the chief constable insisted he had defused an unprecedented, critical incident which drew heavy criticism from Sinn Féin and jeopardised wider public confidence in Northern Ireland's reformed police service.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2023
Mr. Imus had defused similar situations in the past by apologizing.
From New York Times ● Oct. 14, 2022
In December that year, Iran’s telecommunications ministry said the country had defused a massive cyberattack on unspecified “electronic infrastructure” but provided no specifics on the purported attack.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 9, 2021
A carefully structured peace deal that ended the most recent war in 2005 had defused many of those tensions, creating an ethnic balance across the military, government and even state-owned firms.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 10, 2016
For a brief moment, Tanaka dared hope that his agreement to meet with Thailand's powerful student leaders had defused plans for mass demonstrations.
From Time Magazine Archive
