defuse
verb
de·fuse
| \ (ˌ)dē-ˈfyüz
\
\
defused;
defusing;
defuses
Definition of defuse
1
: to remove the fuse from (a mine, a bomb. etc.)
2
: to make less harmful, potent, or tense
defuse a crisis
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Examples of defuse in a Sentence
Skilled negotiators helped defuse the crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
When Simmons came to the housing complex looking for a fight, peacemakers tried to defuse the confrontation. — Marc Ramirez, Dallas News, "'Our city is united in grief,' Dallas pastor says in calling for week of peace after girl's slaying," 16 Aug. 2019 Silva is shown trying to defuse Newlon’s anger by telling him to relax. — Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, "Los Gatos police release video of controversial ex-officer’s recent use of force," 16 Aug. 2019 Jared Walczak, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, says having those parameters in state law could help defuse any future legal challenges. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Mass. moves to expand tax on online sales," 23 July 2019 In middle school and high school, social-emotional learning will evolve too, and will help kids defuse conflict and work peer-to-peer. — Chirlane Mccray, Fortune, "Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray: Why We're Introducing Social-Emotional Learning in New York City Schools," 20 June 2019 The new cameras should help staff defuse tense situations in the housing units of Central Juvenile Hall, county officials said. — Matt Stiles, latimes.com, "L.A. County supervisors hope cameras will make juvenile halls safer. Officers are wary," 11 June 2019 India and Pakistan have both recalled their ambassadors since the attack, and Pakistan called on the U.N. to help defuse tensions. — Munir Ahmed, The Seattle Times, "Pakistani PM willing to talk but warns India not to attack," 20 Feb. 2019 EssilorLuxottica’s interest in GrandVision comes only two months after the company defused a leadership dispute that weighed on its shares. — Ruth David, Fortune, "Global Eyewear Leader EssilorLuxottica Views GrandVision Acquisition," 17 July 2019 The three powers, who are party to the deal alongside Russia and China, have sought to defuse the tensions, which culminated in a plan for U.S. air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute. — NBC News, "Iran tensions: Britain says 'small window' to save nuclear deal," 15 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defuse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for defuse
defuse
verb
English Language Learners Definition of defuse
: to make (something) less serious, difficult, or tense
: to remove the part of (an explosive) that makes it explode : to remove the fuse from (an explosive)
See the full definition for defuse in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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