Master confusing words with ease
Defuse vs. Diffuse
Defuse
/ˌdiːˈfjuːz/Examples:
The quick action by the mediator helped defuse tensions.Humor can often defuse a tense situation.Efforts to defuse the crisis are underway.
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Antonyms:
Diffuse
/dɪˈfjuːs/Examples:
The scientist tried to diffuse the rumors with facts.A soft light diffused through the sheer curtains.Her efforts helped diffuse the tension in the room.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Defuse means to make a situation less tense or dangerous, often by removing the threat or calming down emotions.
- Diffuse refers to spreading something over a large area, like light, liquid, or information.
- Remember that defuse has an f like fuse in bombs, which you want to defuse to make it safe.
- Diffuse has two fs and an i, like in widespread, linking to its concept of spreading out in all directions.
- Link defuse to de-fuse, which literally means remove the fuse. For diffuse, think of disperse to remember the spreading action.
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