different between pacify vs defuse

English

Etymology

From Middle French pacifier, from Latin p?x (“peace”) + verb faci? (“I do, make”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?pæs?fa?/, /?pæs?fa?/

Verb

pacify (third-person singular simple present pacifies, present participle pacifying, simple past and past participle pacified)

1. (transitive) To bring peace to (a place or situation), by ending war, fighting, violence, anger or agitation.
2. (transitive) To appease (someone).

Synonyms

• allay
• locarnize

Derived terms

• pacifier

Related terms

Translations

English

Etymology 1

de- +? fuse

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /di??fju?z/
• Rhymes: -u?z

Verb

defuse (third-person singular simple present defuses, present participle defusing, simple past and past participle defused)

1. (transitive) To remove the fuse from (a bomb, etc.).
2. (transitive) To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile.

   to defuse a hostage situation

Usage notes

The words defuse and diffuse are sometimes confused.

Related terms

• defusion
• defusive
• defuze

Translations

Etymology 2

Compare diffuse.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??fju?z/
• Rhymes: -u?z
• Homophones: diffuse

Verb

defuse (third-person singular simple present defuses, present participle defusing, simple past and past participle defused)

1. (obsolete) To disorder; to make shapeless.
   • 1605, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King Lear, I. iv. 2:

     If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse,