According to Dictionary.com, which cites Random House, “defuse” means “to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing [as in]: to defuse a potentially ugly situation.” That’s definition number two. The primary definition is more to the point, and more literal: “to remove the fuse from (a bomb, mine, etc.).” De-fuse.

This database contains names of companies that have entered into a license agreement with Signify covering patents licensed under the EnabLED LED Luminaires & Retrofit Bulbs Licensing Program (or previously under the Color Kinetics Licensing program). It does not necessarily contain the complete of list of all companies that currently have such license agreements in place. The information in this database has been compiled as accurately as possible at the time of compilation. The contents of all licenses are confidential and the information in this database is based solely upon publicly available information regarding trademarks and brands used by a licensee and applications areas addressed by a licensee. Consequently, the contents of this database do not imply or make any statement in relation to any individual product of any licensee

Then there is this sentence: “I convinced Algernon that roller derby is an enthralling way to spend a Saturday.” In that case, there’s a concept, an idea, or an opinion at stake. That’s when “convince” is the way to go.

You can keep “defuse” and “diffuse” straight by talking like someone with a strong New Jersey accent a minute. Use defuse when you are removing “de fuse” from an explosive situation — remove “de fuse.” Otherwise, it could blow up, and everything in sight would be diffused in an instant.

First, consider the verbs “convince” and “persuade.” Even though the adjective forms —“convincing” and “persuasive”—are synonyms, the verbs “convince” and “persuade” should be used in different contexts.

The Quick and Dirty Tip is an easy mnemonic device. The second syllable of each word holds the key. Let the “a” in the last syllable of “persuade” stand for “action”, and use “persuade” when you want someone to take action. Let the “i” in the last syllable of “convince” stand for “idea,” and use “convince” when you are conveying an idea.

Now, on to “defuse” and “diffuse.” These verbs are nearly homonyms; they sound almost identical. Their meanings differ, however. Here’s how they differ, along with how to keep them distinct in your discourse and your writing. (Remember, proper enunciation helps ensure your meaning is communicated.)

Here’s the key difference between the two words. A person persuades another to do something, to take action. “I persuaded Algernon to go with me to the roller derby.” Because “to go” is an action, the correct verb choice is “persuade.”

It has another meaning, in physics: “to spread by diffusion”—the movement of objects or particles away from one another. Think of “diffused light,” which spreads into a haze rather than holding to a concentrated beam of light.

Some pairs of words are used interchangeably, even indiscriminately. Often the words in question sound similar, and that creates confusion. Other times they are simply misused so frequently—owing to their similarity of meaning, despite a nuanced difference—that the misuse becomes commonplace.

The same sources state that “diffuse” means “to pour out and spread, as a fluid; to spread or scatter widely or thinly; disseminate.”

Rob Reinalda, winner of ACES’ 2019 Robinson Prize for excellence in editing, is the founder and principal of Word Czar Media. He is the author of “Why Editors Drink.”

Also, “diffuse” is the opposite of “fusion,” which means a coming together of elements. So diffusion is the spreading apart of elements.

Whether you want to manage your money better, rock your professional life, stay fit and eat healthy, or discover the keys to better mental health, Quick and Dirty Tips delivers short-form podcasts and articles every week to keep you at the top of your game, usually in ten minutes or less!

Frequently, you might hear someone say something like, “I convinced Melvin to make his presentation less tedious.” Well, you may have succeeded in getting Melvin to spice things up, slide-wise, but what you actually did is “persuade” him to do so. (You may also have “convinced” him that it would be a splendid idea for his audience not to be lulled into a vapid stupor.)