1
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a couple of aspirins deadened the headache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deaden
She was shot three times at close range, with a blanket wrapped around the gun to deaden the sound.
—
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Here was an invention no one had asked for, that promised to upend perfectly good industries while further deadening the American intellect and locking in place the political biases of post-Covid Biden-crats.
—Caroline Downey, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
By studying the images, engineers can confirm and enhance the sonic-boom-deadening properties for the XB-1's airframe.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Lightweight glass, a reduction of sound-deadening materials, and the marginally lighter 6-speed manual gearbox help the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet weigh 3,505 pounds—the company's lightest manual open-roof variant.
—Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Here was an invention no one had asked for, that promised to upend perfectly good industries while further deadening the American intellect and locking in place the political biases of post-Covid Biden-crats.
—Caroline Downey, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
By studying the images, engineers can confirm and enhance the sonic-boom-deadening properties for the XB-1's airframe.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Lightweight glass, a reduction of sound-deadening materials, and the marginally lighter 6-speed manual gearbox help the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet weigh 3,505 pounds—the company's lightest manual open-roof variant.
—Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
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The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with them and undermine judicial independence.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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Avoid Common Mistakes Despite the benefits of catch-up contributions, many individuals make avoidable errors that undermine their effectiveness.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
26 July 2025
-
Morning dopamine spikes from phone use reduce your motivation to pursue slower, more meaningful tasks later.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
-
This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Even if the tree is far away from hard surfaces, exposed tree roots can dull and break lawn mower blades.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 July 2025
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Like knives, can openers should not be washed in the dishwasher to avoid rusting and dulling the blades.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Ferrell, who contended that their father wanted to be cremated, ultimately agreed to a settlement, reportedly after exhausting nearly $100,000 in legal fees and running out of funds to continue the fight.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 July 2025
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The goal is to exhaust the activist organization’s resources and force them to shut down.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
In fact, the humidity on its way to dampen Ohioans' spirit this week is from the Gulf of Mexico and from a front moving in from the West and the South, according to Campbell.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
24 July 2025
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And evidence suggests that paying an entrance fee doesn’t dampen visitors’ enjoyment of their visit.—
Tate Watkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The answer is to stop dating men who drain your brilliance, and to start dating as the woman who chooses herself first.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Several of Yazan’s four older siblings also looked thin and drained.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the cultural visibility of this incomparable art has been diminishing for years, at least in this country.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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