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defuse

Syllabification: (de·fuse)
Pronunciation: /diˈfyo͞oz/

Translate defuse | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of defuse

verb

[with object]
  • remove the fuse from (an explosive device) in order to prevent it from exploding:explosives specialists tried to defuse the grenade
  • reduce the danger or tension in (a difficult situation):he had the ability to defuse tense moments with humor

On the difference between defuse and diffuse, see diffuse (usage).

defuse in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of defuse in the British & World English dictionary

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