DEFUSE

[verb] [T] - to make (a difficult or dangerous situation) calmer by reducing or removing its cause, or to prevent (a bomb) from explodingThe two groups will meet next week to try to defuse the crisis/row/situation/tension/violence.The minister will need to find a way of defusing (= answering and reducing the effect of) public criticism of her policies. [T]Bomb disposal experts have defused a 110-pound bomb at Victoria Station. [T]