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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
But the movie, directed by Olivier Assayas (from a script he co-wrote with Emmanuel Carrère), is at once absorbing and diffuse. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025 President Cleveland worked to diffuse the tension by calling for a national holiday to celebrate workers. Jill Ebstein, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Mack announced in January that she had been diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, an extremely rare type of astrocytoma cancer. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2025 In large companies with diffuse corporate hierarchies, that legal bar can be difficult to meet. Richard Vanderford, WSJ, 30 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for diffuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diffuse
Adjective
  • The final part is a rather rambling segment philosophizing on proof of the afterlife—in line with dozens of similar texts from this era of psychical research.
    Alice Vernon September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The videos, which depict handwritten journals and a display of high-powered weaponry, paint a portrait of a person with a rambling and deeply nihilistic outlook, according to analyses by law enforcement and ABC News.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Kirk is thrown backwards by the shot, which appeared to hit his neck, before the crowd disperses in panic.
    Richard Hall, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Video taken at the event shows that, just seconds later, the sound of a gunshot was heard as Kirk appeared to be struck in the head or neck while the crowd around him dispersed in a panic.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Since the movie features an exaggerated take on real-life dating shows, what was your experience like filming a reality show within a movie?
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But are those exaggerated reactions innate or learned?
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Shocking photos documenting a motel manager pouring hydrochloric acid to dispel Black swimmers drew national and international attention.
    Mariette Williams, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The big lefty dispelled any such concerns on Monday in Sacramento.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Harjo understands better than all but a few of his star’s previous collaborators how to weaponize Hawke’s gift for playing talkative dirtbags who are equal parts insufferable and charming.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025
  • That of course was not unusual, but what was unusual was how talkative this man had been.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Kiko has dissipated in the central Pacific Ocean but there is a new disturbance forecasters are keeping tabs on.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of sound radiating out at all angles, the sound is redirected by solid glass upwards to initially dissipate vertically instead of horizontally.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The issue is that when touch is used purely for stimulation, this deeper communicative function is often overlooked.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Making sure leaders are accessible and communicative doesn’t end after onboarding.
    Roula Amire, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And so, over time, as the internal temperature keeps rising, the sun radiates ever more sunlight.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The artistry hinged on soft black liner framing the eyes, a pop of copper shimmer on the lids, and skin that radiated health.
    Essence, Essence, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diffuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diffuse. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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