Definition

1. Verb:
   • To spread over or through something, especially a liquid, color, or light, as if by flowing or diffusing. It describes the process of something becoming thoroughly permeated or filled with a particular quality.
   • To cause something to be pervaded or overspread with a fluid, color, emotion, or light.

Usage

• Verb (transitive): The verb "suffuse" is typically used with an object. The thing that spreads (e.g., light, color, emotion) is the subject, and the thing that is permeated is the object, often followed by "with."
  • The artist suffused the painting with a golden glow.
  • A deep sense of peace suffused her entire being.
• It often describes a gentle, pervasive, and complete spreading.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The evening sky was suffused with hues of orange and purple.
  • Warmth suffused his cheeks when he heard the compliment.
  • The room was suffused with the soft light of dawn.

Advanced Usage

• "to be suffused with": This is a common passive construction describing a state of being thoroughly filled or permeated by something.
  • Her face was suffused with joy.
  • The manuscript is suffused with a profound melancholy.

Variants and Related Words

• Suffusion (noun): The act of suffusing or the state of being suffused.
  • The suffusion of light created a magical atmosphere.
• Suffusive (adjective): Having the quality of spreading through or over something. (This form is less common.)

Synonyms

• Permeate: To spread throughout.
• Pervade: To be present throughout.
• Imbue: To inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality.
• Infuse: To fill; to cause to be permeated.
• Flood: To fill or overwhelm.
• Bathed in: Covered or immersed in (often used for light).

Antonyms

• Drain: To remove liquid or a quality.
• Empty: To remove contents.
• Deprive: To take something away from.

Related Phrases and Constructions

• "suffuse through/over/across": These prepositions can be used to emphasize the area being covered, though "suffuse with" is more standard.
  • The scent of jasmine suffused through the garden. (This usage is less common but acceptable.)

Verb

1. to become overspread as with a fluid, a colour, a gleam of light
   • His whole frame suffused with a cold dew
2. cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
   • The sky was suffused with a warm pink color