defuse
verb (used with object)
to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
have defused
-
present perfectof defuse.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Mamdani appeared to have defused a potential federal takeover of New York City when he met with President Trump in November.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 31, 2025
Caterpillar appears to have defused the investigation at least in part by deploying a type of raw legal power that rarely becomes publicly visible.
From New York Times ● Mar. 9, 2024
The decisions mean that Uber, valued at nearly $70 billion and closely watched by other startups, may have defused — at least temporarily — another fractious situation.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 3, 2017
At that point, wiser heads still could have defused and de-escalated.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 26, 2017
As with the spy Penkovsky before him, the information Gordievsky passed to his handlers, experts believe, may well have defused a global crisis and averted nuclear war.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
