[go: up one dir, main page]

diffuse 1 of 2

Definition of diffusenext

diffuse

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective diffuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diffuse are prolix, verbose, and wordy. While all these words mean "using more words than necessary to express thought," diffuse stresses lack of compactness and pointedness of style.

diffuse memoirs that are so many shaggy-dog stories

When would prolix be a good substitute for diffuse?

The meanings of prolix and diffuse largely overlap; however, prolix suggests unreasonable and tedious dwelling on details.

habitually transformed brief anecdotes into prolix sagas

When is verbose a more appropriate choice than diffuse?

While the synonyms verbose and diffuse are close in meaning, verbose suggests a resulting dullness, obscurity, or lack of incisiveness or precision.

the verbose position papers

Where would wordy be a reasonable alternative to diffuse?

Although the words wordy and diffuse have much in common, wordy may also imply loquaciousness or garrulity.

a wordy speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diffuse
Adjective
In a small clinical trial in New York, pediatric oncologists harnessed the technology to temporarily—but repeatedly—open the blood-brain barrier in three children with a rare type of brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2025 Rochietti sustained a diffuse axonal injury, or tears in the brain fiber, in a car accident. Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Participants are encouraged to bring signs, take videos on their smart phones and to avoid or diffuse confrontation at the events. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Zone can disrupt the flow of a game, slow the pace of play, diffuse a potentially great after-timeout play call or limit an opponent’s out-of-bounds playbook. Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • Day trips to Amalfi-style Taormina are well-advised for those who have yet to gawp at its clifftop panoramas across the Mediterranean or its film star hotels, as are jaunts to the rambling flea markets and splendidly scruffy trattorias of nearby Catania.
    Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The throwdown came after Trump mocked Newsom in a rambling speech at the Kennedy Center by the incumbant to Republican lawmakers.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Protesters at times refused orders to disperse, sitting in the roadway.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • That’s inevitable for any night that has Ozomatli performing in the first half-hour and dispersing through the aisles — right on the heels of the aforementioned kids’ choir performance.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Don’t be fooled by their budget-friendly cost, either, because the pants deliver an expensive air thanks to their high-fashion pleats and exaggerated silhouette.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
  • These presets aim to reduce unfocused or exaggerated AI aesthetics.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Whether as a client or a reader, Walsh wants to dispel the idea that fashion can be intimidating, or insecurity-inducing.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Olie’s explanation had dispelled her fear and eased her mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Lopez describes her daughter as an energetic, talkative child who speaks both English and Spanish.
    Leondra Head, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Then, like now, people were very talkative.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If a kid understands the reason for the discrepancy, research seems to prove that the negative effects dissipate.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The fog will likely linger through the early morning hours before dissipating by 9 am.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • From Ron being just the guiding light of all of it, and so understanding, communicative and gentle with me — just such a great leader in every way, shape or form.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
  • The uncertainty has been hard, even with suppliers being communicative and transparent.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The vessel had patrolled during the same years as the Growler but, in 1961, suffered a reactor incident that radiated its crew.
    Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The excitement Moses radiated served as testament to Rhett Lashlee’s assessment of his roster coming together to finish out the season, even after the disappointment of falling short of a return ACC Championship Game appearance.
    Kyle Kensing, Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on diffuse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!