deaden

verb

dead·​en ˈde-dᵊn 

deadened; deadening ˈded-niŋ 

ˈde-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to impair in vigor or sensation : blunt

deadened his enthusiasm

deadened the pain

2

a

: to deprive of brilliance

b

: to make vapid or spiritless

oxygen deadens wine

c

: to make (something, such as a wall) impervious to sound

3

: to deprive of life : kill

intransitive verb

: to become dead : lose life or vigor

deadener

ˈded-nər 

-dᵊn-ər

noun

deadeningly

ˈded-niŋ-lē 

-dᵊn-iŋ-

adverb

Synonyms

• undermine
• weaken
• exhaust
• dampen
• drain
• enervate

Examples of deaden in a Sentence

He took aspirin to deaden the pain.

The new insulation will help to deaden the noise from the street outside.

Recent Examples on the Web

Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind. —Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

By Richard Assheton Read On Little Britain The Breakfast Clubs America’s morning television brightens the day but deadens the soul. —airmail.news, 5 Oct. 2024

The Finnish midfielder deadened the ball with a foot and quickly chipped it laterally over nearby defenders. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025

Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for deaden

• leaden
• redden
• armageddon

Kids Definition

deaden

verb

dead·​en ˈded-ᵊn 

deadened; deadening ˈded-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling : dull

deaden pain with drugs