[notdownwidems]

How about “defuze” the situation instead “diffuse” the situation..

Sorry, although defuse can be used as a verb and synonym, 'defuse' is the more commonly, correct usage in this situation.

[wastoute]

We don’t really know his intentions. He may have wanted to spread the situation out over several adjacent blocks.

[Chainmail]

Actually “defuse” would be incorrect: “fuse” is either bonding two elements together or and electrical element designed to break a circuit at an unacceptably high current.

A fuze is a detonating device for igniting the explosive fill of an artillery projectile, mortar bomb, grenade or an aircraft bomb.

To “defuze” those devices means to remove the fuze and render them safe.

Hence, “defuze”. I understand that most of you have little experience with these matters and that common usage tends to blur meanings but this is one subject I know well.