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diffuse

/dɪˈfjuːs/ verb C1 Neutral

Meaning

To spread something over a wide area or among a large number of people.
💡 Be careful not to confuse 'diffuse' with 'defuse', which means to make a situation less tense.

Example Sentences

In an attempt to diffuse the tension that had built up during the heated debate , the chairperson proposed a brief recess to allow participants to gather their thoughts .
The committee implemented several strategies to diffuse the escalating tensions between the two departments .
The manager skillfully diffused the tension in the meeting by addressing everyone's concerns openly and encouraging a collaborative discussion .

Word in Context

On Wednesday mornings the community library hosts a small seminar where a lecturer introduces contemporary ethical dilemmas in a concise , accessible manner . Her aim is not to deliver definitive answers but to present nuanced perspectives that encourage participants to contemplate the issues more deeply . She uses brief case studies , carefully chosen images and open questions to diffuse those perspectives across the group , thereby enabling quieter members to engage . Although some attendees remain reserved at first , the facilitator routinely restructures the discussion so that different voices can be heard . As conversation developed , several ideas were paraphrased and critiqued until a clearer , shared understanding began to emerge , which later appeared in a lively online thread maintained by local residents . By the end of the hour the room felt calmer and more inquisitive , and most people left with concrete steps they intended to pursue .

Common Phrases

Synonyms

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