Adjacent Words

defuse definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: remove the triggering device from [ant: fuse]

Merriam Webster's

transitive verb Date: 1943 1. to remove the fuse from (as a mine or bomb) 2. to make less harmful, potent, or tense <defuse the crisis>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v.tr. 1 remove the fuse from (an explosive device). 2 reduce the tension or potential danger in (a crisis, difficulty, etc.).

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Defuse De*fuse", v. t. [Cf. Diffuse.] To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.] --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(defuses, defusing, defused) 1. If you defuse a dangerous or tense situation, you calm it. The organization helped defuse potentially violent situations... VERB: V n 2. If someone defuses a bomb, they remove the fuse so that it cannot explode. Police have defused a bomb found in a building in London. VERB: V n

Moby Thesaurus

allay, appease, calm, conciliate, cool, dulcify, lay, lay the dust, mollify, pacify, placate, pour balm on, propitiate, smooth, smooth down, smooth over, soothe, tranquilize