defuse

/diːˈfjuːz/

verb 3

Collocations

ADJ.

best, managed, safest, tense, trying

VERB + DEFUSE

bomb, called, tried, try, uses

DEFUSE + NOUN

argument, days, hostage, situation, situations, tension

PREP.

Definitions

verb

To remove the fuse from (e.g. a bomb).

Shepard: I wear a lot of hats, Mr. Vargas. Some days I shut down criminals. Some days I defuse nukes. Some days I like to enjoy private vices. You understand me?

To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile.

to defuse a hostage situation

In recent months, those tactics have come to include defensive maneuvers aimed at defusing the media counteroperations of the United States and its allies.

verb

To disorder; to make shapeless.

If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse,

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

fuse

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Shepard: I wear a lot of hats, Mr. Vargas. Some days I shut down criminals. Some days I defuse nukes. Some days I like to enjoy private vices. You understand me?

Wiktionary

to defuse a hostage situation

Wiktionary

In recent months, those tactics have come to include defensive maneuvers aimed at defusing the media counteroperations of the United States and its allies.

Wiktionary

If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse,

Wiktionary

Tom was killed instantly when the bomb he was trying to defuse exploded.

Tatoeba · #1092393

Tom often uses humor to defuse tense situations.

Tatoeba · #1903331

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, defuse is marked as figuratively, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

Your note

not saved

0 chars