Poll: The announcement appeared to ____ tension caused by his resignation.

The announcement appeared to ____ tension caused by his resignation.

diffuse
defuse

Votes: 220
Comments: 9
Added: August 2004

 

Comments:

MrTrilby - 31st January 2006 20:54
One defuses a bomb.
 
Isra - 11th July 2006 09:02
I think the right answer is: defuse"
 
Benny7 - 29th July 2006 22:18
As Mr Trilby says, you defuse a bomb and you diffuse tension.
 
houston - 17th December 2006 15:02
de·fuse /diˈfyuz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dee-fyooz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -fused, -fus·ing.
–verb (used with object) 1. to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
2. to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing: to defuse a potentially ugly situation.
–verb (used without object) 3. to grow less dangerous; weaken.
 
Trish - 20th December 2006 06:28
"We have a problem, Houston." (LOL)
 
Yoyoma - 15th February 2007 17:22
According to Merriam Webster defuse is the right word.
 
marion fox - 14th August 2007 16:36
caused by his resignation suggests that the tension became widespread as a result of his resignation. diffuse: scatter or spread through.
 
Jotter Scalems - 20th January 2008 00:03
In Dutch there is an expression:
'to take the fuse from the gunbarrel.' It is commonly used in the figurative sense. Given the interaction between the two languages, it is clearly 'defuse'.
 
Susie - 10th October 2009 03:48
Yes, diffusing is spreading out - you diffuse light to break it into colored bands ...
 
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