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

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
One of Lerner’s virtues as a writer is that his work resists this relentless gathering of data (news, text messages, posts), a gathering that’s both abundant and diffuse, and that, paradoxically, feels like a giving over of one’s mind and capacities to fuzzy abstraction. Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 In spring 2026, the pressures are more diffuse but no less impactful. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
As the band is worn, compounds from air, dust and surfaces gradually diffuse into the silicone over time. Yaw Edu Essandoh, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 Ethan Walker came into the game for the Longhorns after the delay and struck out two Spartans to diffuse a threat. David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • The North Carolina folk-rock band’s quiet and rambling third album exists in a cloud of dreamy contemplation.
    Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Trump’s speech was at times entertaining, rambling, repetitive, and combative.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In addition, unlike some carbon removal strategies that rely on transporting and dispersing large quantities of crushed rock, this method operates entirely on-site.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
  • An electro-osmotic pump (a device that disperses liquids with electrical force) controls the fragrance delivery precisely, ensuring steady scent production with minimal timing gaps.
    Shirl Leigh March 31, New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That term encompasses exaggerated, subjective assertions of optimism that are not intended to be taken as factual, are too general to cause a reasonable investor to rely upon them and are not actionable in securities law.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But reports of the death of old-fashioned books were greatly exaggerated.
    Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The good news is that once a deal is reached, the hours-long security checkpoint lines will likely dispel quickly, according to Sheldon Jacobson, an aviation expert and professor of computer science at the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has been trying to dispel security concerns over the tournament.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Although Robbins could be talkative and engaging particularly when discussing his hometown Houston sports teams, there were also periods of sullen silence and self-medication.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Your 11th House of Hopefulness lights up as enterprising Mars harmonizes with jovial Jupiter in your talkative 3rd house.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The whir of an ambulance rose and dissipated, leaving behind the hum of rolling traffic.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Thick, fluffy clouds that had been surrounding the launch pad have mostly dissipated.
    Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The emerging field calls for more refined methods to determine whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The review calls for more refined methods to uncover whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The PlayStation 5 Pro is a more powerful spin on the vanilla PS5, thanks to ray tracing and AI upscaling that give games a visual boost.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
  • That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.
    Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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