defuse

But the “nope” numbers reveal how Wembanyama could defuse Portland’s attack without laying a finger on the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

US President Donald Trump frequently refers to Munir as his "favourite field marshal", after a rapport built during US efforts to defuse a short but intense armed conflict between Pakistan and rival India last year.

From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026

Ritchson, according to the source, attempted to defuse the situation after Taylor allegedly dared him to get physical.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026

Trump has since said he is seeking "immediate negotiations" to find a compromise and further defuse the row.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026

“You’re right. It was just one game. For now,” I said, trying to defuse the situation—though maybe I straightened my posture a bit to let him know I was not one to mess with.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

By being open about her autism, Woo defuses and demystifies it for neurotypical colleagues and clients.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 13, 2023

The songs are back, preceded by dialogue in which Guenevere preemptively defuses their sting with Sorkin-esque wit.

From New York Times ● Mar. 22, 2023

An unprecedented compromise between the enemy states, the deal opens the way for offshore energy exploration and defuses one source of potential conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

From Reuters ● Oct. 18, 2022

“We’re going to see Elton John and just have some fun together, no deadlines, no sides to learn. It defuses the permanency of the last day of shooting.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2020

And although there couldn’t be a more neutral statement, it defuses any insectious worries I might have given her.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

She declined to answer questions on whether tensions had been defused with Washington.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2026

The summit will offer Brussels the chance to turn the page after a bruising transatlantic crisis over Greenland -- now seemingly defused.

From Barron's ● Jan. 24, 2026

Traders will weigh whether the risk in Iran is “genuinely defused or simply resting,” because calm in the Persian Gulf has a “habit of braking without warning,” he added.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 16, 2026

China currently dominates the global supply, giving it crucial leverage, which helped Beijing reach a temporary trade truce with the US in November that defused tensions.

From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2026

Seven’s dad wasn’t expecting it but defused the fire with his own stream of calming magic.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Meanwhile, a delegation from Qatar travelled to Iran on Friday for talks aimed at defusing tensions and easing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

He landed on the cover of Time magazine in 1999, the leading figure in what the magazine dubbed “The Committee to Save the World” after defusing financial crises in Asia and Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Netflix has amended its proposed $72-billion purchase of Warner Bros. and HBO, converting it to an all-cash offer in hopes of defusing criticisms from rival bidder, David Ellison’s Paramount.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2026

Every crisis requiring defusing in “The Pitt” rolls right into the team’s midst.

From Salon ● Jan. 8, 2026

This is exactly the kind of thing I am supposed to be defusing!

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins