deafening

adjective

deaf·​en·​ing ˈde-fə-niŋ How to pronounce deafening (audio)
ˈdef-niŋ
1
: that deafens
2
: very loud : earsplitting
fell with a deafening clap
3
: very noticeable
their silence on the issue was deafening
deafeningly adverb

Examples of deafening in a Sentence

the deafening roar of the planes a boom box blasting deafening music
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
McBride’s defense turned into offense that later induced more deafening pops from The Garden crowd. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2024 The screams become so deafening and distracting that the person eventually has to leave their seat to find a private section to catch the show. Deasia Paige, ELLE, 23 Aug. 2023 The noise figures to be more deafening, the signs less PG-rated, the taunts in this nearly border town pushing the borderline of good taste. Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2023 While the state-of-the-art building isn’t as deafening as old Oracle Arena, Golden State now is 8-0 in playoff games here. Dallas News, 20 May 2022 See all Example Sentences for deafening 

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of deafening was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near deafening

Cite this Entry

“Deafening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deafening. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on deafening

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!