defuse
/diːˈfjuːz
/verb [with object]
1Remove the fuse from (an explosive device) in order to prevent it from exploding: explosives specialists tried to defuse the grenade...
- Security guards patrolling the area informed police, who in turn notified the Bomb Disposal Unit, who defused the explosive device.
- Grimly, he picked up a manual on defusing explosive devices and began to skim through it, just in case.
- The army began searching the area on Friday and is defusing explosive devices strewn around the area by the blasts.
Synonyms
deactivate, disarm, disable, make safe
1.1Make (a situation) less tense or dangerous: a scheme that teaches officers how to defuse potentially explosive situations...
- I can't help thinking that if Chuck were alive, he would have handled this unsavory, unneighborly encounter much better than I, for he was an expert at defusing tense situations.
- It is learnt that more changes in the civil administration are also in the offing as part of the ongoing efforts to defuse the tense situation.
- With their friendly but firm goodwill and common sense they were able to defuse many potentially dangerous situations and undoubtedly saved many lives.
Synonyms
reduce, lessen, diminish, lighten, relieve, ease, alleviate, allay, moderate, mitigate, take the edge off;
clear the air
Usage
On the potential confusion between defuse and diffuse, see diffuse (usage).