defuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'defuse' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of making a situation or problem less dangerous or tense. For example, "The police officers were able to defuse the situation without anyone getting hurt".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could turn out to be the day the power-sharing politicians on the big hill at Stormont and the community activists on the streets of working-class Belfast demonstrated their ability to defuse a dispute that has deep roots in the sectarian ravaged history of their city.

The Guardian

But to defuse any possible tensions, the authorities had decided that the teams should mix together as they lined up and that the Marseillaise should be sung by Lââm, a young R&B singer of Franco-Tunisian extraction.

The Guardian

I guess I was looking for a way to defuse the situation".

The Guardian - Sport

The UN envoy said afterwards that he had a "few ideas" but no full plan on how to defuse the conflict, which he described as "extremely bad and getting worse".

The Guardian

Abbott and senior ministers have sought to defuse the distracting attacks by rightwing columnists over the Turnbull/Palmer dinner, and during the Thursday exchange Jones revealed that Abbott had sought to play the incident down when he and Jones had discussed it on the phone.

The Guardian

Police arrested a ringleader – the local minister, Brydon Maben – and it took the intervention of then local MP, David Steel, to defuse the incident.

The Guardian

Throughout, a line of older residents stood firm between protesters and police to defuse tensions.

The Guardian

Hester explained today: I had to replace all the senior executives at RBS to help me defuse the "time bomb" there.

The Guardian - Business

Sandra, on the other hand, wants out of the competition … what she does, and the manner in which she does it, manages to defuse the competition and replace it with a form of solidarity".

The Guardian - Film

Trainer Jesus Ramos, gun on hip, says an irate citizen is not lodging a "personal attack", and advises responding with "you seem upset" to defuse the situation and allow them to vent.

The Guardian

Carr said: "Tax payments are not, and should not be … a payment viewed as a down payment on social acceptability, or a contribution made by choice in order to defuse public anger or political attack".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defuse" when you want to convey the idea of preventing a situation from escalating into something dangerous or harmful. It's often used in contexts involving conflict, tension, or potential explosions (both literal and figurative).

Common error

Avoid confusing "defuse" with "diffuse". "Defuse" means to make something less dangerous or tense, while "diffuse" means to spread out or scatter. Using the wrong word can significantly alter your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defuse" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of making something less dangerous or tense. Ludwig provides examples in various contexts, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "defuse" is a versatile term used to describe the action of reducing tension or danger. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While synonyms like "de-escalate" or "mitigate" offer alternative phrasing, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with "diffuse". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively use "defuse" to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

de-escalate

Focuses on reducing the intensity of a situation, similar to defusing it but emphasizes a step-down approach.

mollify

Implies appeasing someone's anger or anxiety, a more specific type of defusing related to emotions.

mitigate

Highlights reducing the severity or impact of something negative, often used in the context of problems or risks.

neutralize

Suggests rendering something ineffective or harmless, which is akin to defusing its potential danger.

ease

Indicates a lessening of pressure or tension, a general term for making something less severe.

calm

Emphasizes the act of making something or someone tranquil or peaceful, a more emotionally focused defusion.

placate

Implies satisfying someone, usually by concessions, to prevent further aggravation, a negotiation-based defusion.

appease

Similar to placate, but can suggest a more yielding approach to defusing conflict.

soothe

Focuses on gently calming emotions or discomfort, a softer approach to defusing tension.

quell

Suggests suppressing or subduing something, often a rebellion or unrest, a stronger and more forceful defusion.

FAQs

How can I use "defuse" in a sentence?

"Defuse" is used to describe making a dangerous or tense situation calmer or safer. For example, "The negotiator managed to "defuse" the hostage situation".

What are some synonyms for "defuse"?

Alternatives to "defuse" include "de-escalate", "mitigate", or "neutralize", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "defuse" and "diffuse"?

"Defuse" means to make something less dangerous or tense. "Diffuse" means to spread something out widely. For example, "The negotiator tried to "defuse" the argument", versus, "The scent of lavender began to "diffuse" throughout the room".

Is it appropriate to use "defuse" in formal writing?

Yes, "defuse" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI's examples show it used across various professional and news contexts.