defuse
Make bomb safe
To defuse is to remove the fuse from an explosive device, rendering it harmless.
The figurative extension dominates: to defuse a situation is to reduce its tension or danger before it escalates: She defused the argument with a joke, efforts to defuse the crisis.
Often confused with diffuse, which means to spread out.
Explosive initiation device
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- wiresMetallic electrical conductors
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
EOD · sapper · ordnance · disposal · demining · disarm · neutralize · IED
detonator
Explosive initiation device
explosive · EOD · sapper · ordnance · disposal · demining · disarm · neutralize · IED · tripwire
situation
State of affairs
awkwardness · humor · joke · laughter · redirect · distract · reframe · lighten · disarm · charm
negotiate
Discuss to reach agreement
- mediateFacilitate agreement between disputants
- reconcileResolve a disagreement
- calmFree from agitation
soothe · de-escalate · pacify · placate · appease · conciliate · ease · settle · resolve · moderate
- calmingcalm, calm down, soothe, relax, pacify
- interveneintervene, step in, intercede, mediate, arbitrate
- Counter-StrikeAK-47, CT, terrorist, bomb site, competitive
- peacemakingnegotiation, mediation, peace agreement, mediate, pacifying
- break it upstop, cease, disperse, scatter, split
- clearing the airapology, honesty, forgiveness, truth, discussion