Verb (used with object) : to defuse a potentially ugly situation.    From Dictionary.com. 

As an African American, she might also have an advantage in defusing some of the racial tensions that dogged Rhee.    From Wordnik.com.  [DeMorning DeBonis: Oct. 14, 2010] Reference

The robots would end up "defusing" the mines by bumping into them and blowing everything to bits.    From Wordnik.com.  [TechnoBeta Blog] Reference

She should be defusing the situation, not escalating it.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript May 30, 2008] Reference

Instead he was deployed to a unit defusing car bombs in Mosul.    From Wordnik.com.  [Tom Hayden: Church of Misfits Harbors American War Resister] Reference

Army's 705th EOD, a unit responsible for defusing bombs and mines.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jan 2, 2005] Reference

BOYKIN: I think he's doing a respectable job in defusing the issue.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript May 19, 2008] Reference

Senator Sexton exploded in laughter, defusing the question instantly.    From Wordnik.com.  [Deception Point]

They should have a defusing screen in front with an ultraviolet filter.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jan 21, 2006] Reference

His training specialty is defusing IEDs (improvised explosive devices).    From Wordnik.com.  [grouse Diary Entry] Reference

A ripple of laughter went around the room, defusing some of the tension.    From Wordnik.com.  [Fire and Ice]

America receives many threats; some are acted on, defusing potential plots.    From Wordnik.com.  [Subway Scare: When Is It Time to Be Worried?] Reference

He noted Carter's popularity and symbolic role in defusing tensions in 1994.    From Wordnik.com.  [Carter In N. Korea To Release Boston Man] Reference

The U.S. wants Saudi Arabia to help in defusing tensions in the Middle East.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Nov 24, 2006] Reference

Claire always had a way of defusing the tension in even the most critical of situations.    From Wordnik.com.  [2nd Chance]

I commend British authorities for defusing the terror plot and apprehending the suspects.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Aug 12, 2006] Reference

That unit commander on the ground did a very smart thing today in defusing the situation.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Apr 3, 2003] Reference

A new round of diplomatic efforts aimed at defusing tensions along the Turkish/Iraqi border.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Oct 23, 2007] Reference

Billiter was member of the Navy's explosive ordnance disposal, specialists in defusing bombs.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Apr 15, 2007] Reference

By last count eight former prime ministers have come out in favor of defusing the shrine issue.    From Wordnik.com.  [THE GHOST OF MR. TOJO] Reference

He seems doomed -- until a heroic Northern sentry saves his life by defusing an unexploded mine.    From Wordnik.com.  [Friends And Enemies: A Cinematic Twist] Reference

But no one should doubt that we're working every minute that we can on defusing the tension here.    From Wordnik.com.  [Press Briefing By Jake Siewert A] Reference

CHETRY: Ahead in the NEWSROOM, Dr. Sanjay Gupta on defusing post traumatic stress using technology.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Mar 13, 2007] Reference

I think we provided some assistance in defusing the crisis of last year between Pakistan and India.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jan 20, 2003] Reference

And what we found was that instead of defusing or incrementally declining the bubble, we enhanced it.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Oracle Reveals All] Reference

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Pakistan has taken another step toward defusing the volatile situation with India.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jan 1, 2002] Reference

Taking on McCain has always required the delicacy of those soldiers in The Hurt Locker, defusing roadside IEDs.    From Wordnik.com.  [The McCain Mutiny] Reference

Science has a way of defusing incendiary issues through breakthroughs that make the controversial anachronistic.    From Wordnik.com.  [Cures From The Womb] Reference

Soldiers defusing explosives in the Taj Mahal Hotel, making sure that every single one of those 500-plus rooms is clear.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Nov 29, 2008] Reference

It's the process that's going on of rapport - building, information-gathering, and defusing of a very volatile situation.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Feb 23, 2006] Reference

HAMMER (voice over): In the "Lethal Weapon" movies, Mel Gibson ` s character wasn ` t particularly good at defusing bombs.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Aug 1, 2006] Reference

New finance regulations created a Financial Stability Oversight Council, charged with uncovering and defusing systemic risks.    From Wordnik.com.  [Lehman's Accidental Historian] Reference

It's funny, but I'm wondering, beyond that, what kind of a job is John McCain doing in defusing the whole age issue question?.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript May 19, 2008] Reference

COSTELLO: But both the governments of Lebanon and Israel say it is too soon for Secretary Rice to try her hand at defusing the situation.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jul 18, 2006] Reference

COSTELLO: But both the Lebanese and Israeli governments stay it is too soon for Secretary Rice to try her hand at defusing the situation.    From Wordnik.com.  [CNN Transcript Jul 18, 2006] Reference