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
Relevance
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
The cabin should be quiet thanks to the sound-deadening acoustic front and side glass.
—
Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
This can lead to more innovative solutions overall, and more importantly, avoid the formation of echo chambers that stifle creativity and deaden logical critique.
—Stephen Turban, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
This can lead to more innovative solutions overall, and more importantly, avoid the formation of echo chambers that stifle creativity and deaden logical critique.
—Stephen Turban, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
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Critics are concerned Trump's latest move could allow the administration to purge nonpartisan career officials and replace them with political loyalists, undermining the independence of the federal workforce.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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The site goes on to advance the theory that COVID-19 originated in a Wuhan lab and undermines Trump’s political rivals like Joe Biden and Andrew Cuomo.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Cost Savings: Automation reduces labor costs and minimizes errors.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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This has, among other losses, reduced Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal by about eight hundred million dollars a month.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Agreeing to a pick swap with the Lynx weakened the value of the pick that the Sky traded away.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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One by one, the sectors defect, and, eventually, the leader may weaken and their government may fall.—
Julia Angwin,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His failure to contend in that or any subsequent majors became a big storyline: Had Rahm’s move to LIV dulled his competitive edge?—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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The intentionally half-baked approach to Season 2 foreshadows an overstuffed and potentially controversial third season, the emotional effect of which will be dulled by the likely long hiatus (Season 1 premiered in January 2023).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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They will be exhausted after Grandma wrangling for 4 hours.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Their lineup has not exhausted opposing pitching staffs for a full series in a manner that has been their trademark for years.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Admittedly, Trump’s trade war has dampened the steady growth of the fledgling beauty brand.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Editors’ Picks How an American Sign Language Artist Spends Their Sundays The start-and-stop nature of the rollout of tariffs has also roiled the stock market and dampened consumer confidence as people have hunkered down.—
Ken Belson,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Until then, the negative effects of import taxes such as rising unemployment and a slowing economy will drain trillions of dollars from the revenues the administration hopes to raise.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Former President Joe Biden drained the reserve of more than 40% of its capacity when gas prices reached record highs, averaging more than $5 a gallon across the U.S. in June 2022.—
Dan McCaleb | The Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Lacy turned himself in to police on Jan. 12, but his NFL Draft prospects were significantly diminished by the wreck.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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