de‧fuse /ˌdiːˈfjuːz/ verb [transitive]

1. to improve a difficult or dangerous situation, for example by making people less angry or by dealing with the causes of a problem
defuse a situation/crisis/row etc
Beth’s quiet voice helped to defuse the situation.
defuse tension/anger etc
The agreement was regarded as a means of defusing ethnic tensions.

2. to remove the fuse from a bomb in order to prevent it from exploding

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲