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defuse and diffuse - the difference




To defuse means to remove the fuse.  Diffuse means spread out.
 


Defuse

The verb defuse refers to the act of deactivating a bomb. (Defuse literally means 'to remove the fuse'.)  It is often used figuratively to mean 'to disarm' or 'to pacify'. 

Examples:

Paul, go back in the meeting and defuse all the arguing.

How long did it take you to defuse the bomb?

Diffuse

The adjective diffuse means 'spread out' or 'not concentrated in one place'. Diffuse can also be a verb meaning 'to circulate' or 'to spread'.

Examples:

She is the CEO of a large diffuse company.

I need speakers that will diffuse my music around the whole arena.

See also:

What are adjectives?
What are verbs?
List of easily confused words

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