defuze
C2Formal, technical, and journalistic. The spelling 'defuse' is overwhelmingly more common.
Definition
Meaning
To remove the fuse from (an explosive device) or to make (a potentially dangerous situation) less tense or critical.
To render harmless, less explosive, or less tense; to pacify or de-escalate a situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'Defuze' is a rare, non-standard variant spelling of 'defuse'. It is sometimes used by analogy with 'fuse' (as in an explosive component) versus 'fuze' (a more technical spelling for a detonating mechanism). The standard spelling in all contexts is 'defuse'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties prefer the spelling 'defuse'. The variant 'defuze' is equally non-standard in both BrE and AmE and should be avoided in formal writing.
Connotations
Using 'defuze' may be perceived as a spelling error or a hypercorrection, even in technical contexts where 'fuze' is a recognized term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency. The British National Corpus and Corpus of Contemporary American English show near-zero hits for 'defuze'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] defused [Object (situation/device)][Subject] defused [Object] by [Gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “defuse a ticking time bomb”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The manager defused the client's complaints with a prompt apology.'
Academic
Used in political science or conflict studies: 'Diplomacy aimed to defuse regional tensions.'
Everyday
Used for interpersonal situations: 'He told a joke to defuse the awkward silence.'
Technical
Used in bomb disposal or engineering contexts: 'Experts worked to defuse the unexploded ordnance.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The negotiator worked tirelessly to defuse the hostage crisis.
- Bomb disposal officers successfully defused the device found in central London.
American English
- The police chief's statement helped defuse community anger.
- Technicians carefully defused the old artillery shell discovered on the construction site.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher defused the fight between two students quickly.
- Successful diplomacy can defuse international conflicts before they escalate into war.
- The CEO's candid press conference was a masterful move to defuse the mounting scandal and shareholder concern.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: De-FUSE = remove the FUSE. Just remember it's spelled with an 's', like 'use'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE / CONFLICT IS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (e.g., 'defuse an argument').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'разряжать' in the sense of discharging a battery. The core metaphor is 'обезвредить' (a bomb) or 'снять напряжённость' (a situation).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'defuze' based on 'fuse'/'fuze' confusion.
- Confusing with 'diffuse' (to spread out).
Practice
Quiz
Which is the CORRECT standard spelling?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'defuze' is a non-standard variant. The universally accepted spelling is 'defuse'.
'Defuse' means to make a dangerous situation less tense or to disarm an explosive. 'Diffuse' (verb) means to spread or scatter widely, and (adjective) means not concentrated.
No, while its literal meaning applies to explosives, it is most commonly used metaphorically to mean reducing tension in any volatile situation.
It is likely a spelling error based on the word 'fuse' (which itself can be spelled 'fuze' in specific technical/military contexts). This does not extend to the verb 'defuse'.