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deafen

[def-uhn] / ˈdɛf ən /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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“The desire to deafen and respond with noise reflects a kind of discredit of the political discourse,” Christian Salmon, a French essayist and columnist for the online publication Slate, said in an interview.

From New York Times May 22, 2023

Jamming “can blind and deafen an aircraft very quickly and very dangerously, especially if you lose GPS and radar and you’re a jet flying at 600 miles an hour.”

From Seattle Times Jun. 3, 2022

“Sirens deafen / Everything’s on fire in heaven, heaven,” she sings in what sounds like a moody lullaby.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 17, 2022

Opposing sides defecate piles of paperwork at one another, seemingly hoping to discourage or deafen the opponent.

From Golf Digest Dec. 6, 2018

The blast didn’t just deafen Alex, it shuddered right through him as if trying to rip out his heart.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

To recognize that the paralysis of suffering deafens us to our own emotions.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 8, 2023

But indiscriminately blocking or hiding the voices of those you don’t agree with does not silence them; it only deafens you.

From Slate Nov. 17, 2016

Another competition of this mould - regardless of how it is packaged - would surely just add to the white noise that already deafens fans of football’s most saturated market.

From The Guardian Sep. 13, 2015

A seaport, South Street or otherwise, isn’t the right place to experience Dinosaur Jr.—the band is best enjoyed in a dark, enclosed room, where you can adore it viscerally, as it deafens you.

From The New Yorker Jul. 14, 2014

Dewey’s ears ring with it—a ringing that almost deafens him to the whispery rush of Smith’s soft voice.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

But high winds have deafened the instruments to the rumblings from deeper magma, says Rick Aster, a geophysicist at Colorado State University.

From Science Magazine Dec. 2, 2024

Mohammad Wali said he was listening to a speaker address the crowd when the huge explosion temporarily deafened him.

From Washington Times Jul. 30, 2023

Even under his noise-canceling headset, Baseer said, the blast deafened him.

From Salon Dec. 15, 2022

But Ms Clair criticised them over their stance, saying: "Their silence deafened me."

From BBC Feb. 6, 2022

Blinded by the blaze of the spells that had blasted from every direction, deafened by a series of bangs, Harry blinked and looked down at the floor.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Ever since he became a lightning rod at the last World Cup, the noise around Reyna had been deafening.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 19, 2026

Vijay Sengal still remembers the deafening sound when the plane came down.

From Barron's Jun. 12, 2026

Fireworks could be heard along with the deafening sound of the vuvuzelas.

From BBC May 31, 2026

The sold-out crowd at the Wiltern erupted the second Von hit the stage, but that was nothing compared to the deafening roar of screams and “We love you, Mike!” when Tyson walked out.

From Los Angeles Times May 13, 2026

With the usual deafening scraping noise, the benches were moved back and the hundreds of students began to file out of the Great Hall toward their dormitories.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling




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