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Definitions

deaden

[ded-n] / ˈdɛd n /
VERB
diminish, muffle, quiet
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desensitize impair
STRONG
abate alleviate anesthetize benumb blunt check chloroform consume cushion damp dampen depress deprive destroy devitalize dim dope drown dull etherize exhaust freeze frustrate gas hush incapacitate injure lessen mute numb paralyze quieten reduce repress retard slow smother soften stifle stun stupefy suppress tire unnerve weaken
WEAK
KO knock out lay out put out of order put to sleep tone down
Antonyms
STRONG
advance aid allow assist brighten build construct encourage enlarge extend facilitate help increase indulge intensify invigorate let go magnify mobilize permit push raise refresh stimulate strengthen uplift
WEAK
animate enliven

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.

The flares instantly set fire to the surrounding acoustic foam panels, installed to deaden the sound.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

The biggest is the ball and the size of the stitches, Nathan said, and MLB made slight adjustments to deaden the ball prior to the 2021 season.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2023

I’m to the point of considering bringing in a speaker to deaden their noise or broadcast an offensive podcast at them.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 2023

With her red-lipped rictus grin, her eyes that can beam with earnestness one minute and deaden with murderous resignation the next, Goth makes a sublime demon, but she’s also a creature of irreducible pathos.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2022

After bandaging them neatly she had administered a potion that would deaden the pain and induce sleep.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.