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diffuse

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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
Dragonfly 44 and its ilk are known as ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs). Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2022 First, there are two ultra-diffuse galaxies that appear to be satellite members of a massive group dominated by NGC 1052: DF2 and DF4. Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 22 June 2021
Verb
Humor and playfulness: Using lightheartedness to diffuse tension without dismissing concerns. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 The extent to which Matthew overtakes the story can be jarring, as that process is diffused across several amusing but increasingly morose asides. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.
    Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2024
  • His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.
    Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Panasonic also claims the dryer uses electrostatic shock to disperse water molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which might reduce hair damage.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Swarming leadership offers a dynamic alternative, enabling teams to self-organize, tackle complex challenges collectively, and disperse once the problem is solved.
    Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Americans are very familiar with Trump’s exaggerated self-presentation: the carnival barker who leaps to superlatives.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The strapless champagne mermaid gown was classic Old Hollywood glamour, but its exaggerated blade-like protrusion from the bust served as a reminder to the body horror.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • His opening weeks in office have done nothing to dispel those concerns.
    Nicholas Riccardi, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But the notion that this is primarily a judge problem seems to be dispelled by the findings of the report.
    Carrie Johnson, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While Posing as Her and Beyoncé However, Williams suggested that Rowland, 44, could also win the title of the most talkative Destiny’s Child member.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Mahomes is relaxed but talkative in those meetings, as Wentz described it, going through his preferred plays for the potential biggest moments of the game.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The mixture of euphoria and sheer relief quickly dissipated into the evening air when the Aztecs learned their charter plane home had a mechanical issue that would take several hours to repair.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
  • So, the researchers have theorized that a super-heated ash cloud that dissipated quickly was actually the first event in the Vesuvius cataclysm.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Socialisation And Early Gendered Communication Training From childhood, boys and girls are socialized into different communicative patterns.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Butler has been a revelation, fitting in seamlessly on both ends as a communicative, physical player.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And then found some cool enhancements — the eyes that could tell the story of a guy who’s also gamma radiated.
    Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Even so, as a performer Trachtenberg radiated more than just vulnerability.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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