defuse efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defuse efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions taken to reduce tension or conflict in a situation. Example: "The negotiators worked tirelessly to defuse efforts between the two opposing parties to reach a peaceful resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pharmaceutical companies have faced complaints for years over prices, but now they might have to defuse efforts to use less of their drugs to cut costs, and to rebut accusations that doses are inflated to bolster profits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That strategy, he said, "defused efforts rather than focusing them".

The New York Times

By increasing public understanding of its goals and methods, the central bank hopes to defuse political efforts to circumscribe its powers.

The New York Times

While some opponents of the government called for the ouster of President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has fallen sharply since the start of the protests, those in the government camp carried banners endorsing the vague promises of political reform that Ms. Rousseff has been making in an effort to defuse the movement.

The New York Times

The president's statements, they said, calmed the jitters of some Jewish voters about his support for Israel and defused the effort of Republican presidential candidates to use Iran as a wedge issue against him.

The New York Times

NEW DELHI — Having trumped a government effort to defuse his anticorruption movement, the protest leader Anna Hazare announced that he would leave a city jail on Friday and begin a mass demonstration and hunger strike at a public ground in the national capital.

The New York Times

The Nauruan government has made efforts to defuse local hostility.

The Guardian

Hence China's unusually high-profile efforts to defuse the crisis.

The New York Times

Tells about the protest movement in Assam and Mrs. Gandhi's efforts to defuse it.

The New Yorker

It threatens U.S. efforts to defuse other flash points in the Middle East.

The New Yorker

Saudi Arabia, in a slap at American efforts to defuse the crisis, dispatched troops to Bahrain to help crush the protesters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defuse efforts", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific actions are being mitigated to prevent escalation or conflict. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "defuse efforts" when the situation requires a more assertive intervention. This phrase implies a gentle reduction of tension, not necessarily a forceful resolution.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defuse efforts" is as a verb phrase, where "defuse" acts as a transitive verb taking "efforts" as its direct object. This structure describes the action of reducing the intensity or danger of specific attempts or endeavors. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defuse efforts" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes actions taken to reduce tension or prevent conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, formal business communications, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility and neutrality. Alternative phrases such as "mitigate endeavors" or "de-escalate attempts" can be used to add nuance to the description. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in the context to highlight what specific actions are being softened.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate endeavors

Replaces "defuse" with "mitigate" and "efforts" with "endeavors", altering the tone to sound more formal and slightly more proactive.

de-escalate attempts

Substitutes "defuse" with "de-escalate" and "efforts" with "attempts", focusing on reducing the intensity of actions or initiatives.

neutralize undertakings

Uses "neutralize" instead of "defuse" and "undertakings" for "efforts", indicating a cancellation of effect or purpose.

counteract initiatives

Replaces "defuse" with "counteract" and "efforts" with "initiatives", suggesting direct opposition to a specific course of action.

quell endeavors

Substitutes "defuse" with "quell" and "efforts" with "endeavors", implying a forceful suppression or calming of activities.

moderate actions

Uses "moderate" for "defuse" and "actions" instead of "efforts", which softens the approach to reducing intensity or impact.

ease tensions

This phrase replaces the original with a broader approach of reducing overall stress rather than specific actions.

reduce conflict

Focuses on diminishing conflict, altering from direct action against efforts to a general reduction of discord.

pacify situations

Implies calming circumstances rather than directly addressing specific efforts, which shifts the focus to overall atmosphere.

dampen enthusiasm

Targets the reduction of excitement or zeal, which indirectly defuses potential for escalated actions.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "defuse efforts" in a sentence?

Use "defuse efforts" when you want to describe actions taken to reduce the intensity of a situation or to prevent conflict. For example, "Diplomatic negotiations aimed to "defuse efforts" that could lead to war".

What are some alternatives to saying "defuse efforts"?

You can use alternatives like "mitigate endeavors", "de-escalate attempts", or "neutralize undertakings" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "diffuse efforts" instead of "defuse efforts"?

While "diffuse" and "defuse" sound similar, they have different meanings. "Defuse" means to make something less harmful or tense, whereas "diffuse" means to spread out or scatter. Therefore, "defuse efforts" is the correct choice in this context.

In what situations is "defuse efforts" most appropriately used?

"Defuse efforts" is best used in situations where proactive steps are being taken to reduce tensions or prevent escalation, particularly in political, social, or interpersonal contexts. It implies a measured and strategic approach to calming a situation.