defuse
To reduce the danger or tension in a situation
Examples
In a meeting
“The manager stepped in to defuse the conflict between team members.”
Over coffee
“She made a joke to defuse the awkward moment.”
Why this word
calm
defuse means to remove the danger or tension from a situation, while calm simply means to make peaceful
ease
defuse specifically removes potential for explosion or crisis, while ease broadly reduces difficulty
resolve
defuse means to make safe without necessarily solving, while resolve means to find a solution
Usage tip
Use when describing actions that reduce tension before it escalates. Metaphor from bomb disposal implies careful, deliberate intervention.
Etymology
From 'de-' (remove) + 'fuse' (device that detonates), originally literal bomb defusing
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Related words
circumvent
To find a way around an obstacle or restriction.
diagnose
To identify the cause or nature of a problem through examination.
contradict
To state the opposite or deny the truth of something
reconcile
Make two conflicting things compatible or resolve a disagreement
recourse
A source of help or option available in a difficult situation
pushback
Resistance or objection to an idea or plan