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deaden

verb
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dead·​en | \ ˈde-dᵊn How to pronounce deaden (audio) \
deadened; deadening\ ˈded-​niŋ How to pronounce deadening (audio) , ˈde-​dᵊn-​iŋ \

Definition of deaden

transitive verb

1 : to impair in vigor or sensation : blunt deadened his enthusiasm deadened the pain
2a : 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
Other Words from deaden Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about deaden

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Other Words from deaden

deadener \ ˈded-​nər How to pronounce deadener (audio) , -​dᵊn-​ər \ noun
deadeningly \ ˈded-​niŋ-​lē How to pronounce deadeningly (audio) , -​dᵊn-​iŋ-​ \ adverb

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 Epley’s accusers, two Portland physicians, testified that Epley was administering the nerve-deadening drugs recklessly, based on inadequate diagnostic testing. — oregonlive, "Epley maneuver for vertigo was invented by Oregon doctor," 15 Oct. 2019 Cruel experience has deadened all three characters, and death keeps working its way into their conversations. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: In Hamish Linklater’s ‘The Vandal,’ a bus-stop conversation builds poignant intrigue," 4 Oct. 2019 More expensive units may be enclosed in a cover filled with sound deadening insulation. — Bradley Ford, Popular Mechanics, "6 Best Garbage Disposals For Pulverizing Food," 25 Sep. 2019 Theater that breaks the rules or brings together the incongruous has the potential to awaken us from those habits of perception that deaden us to experience. — Los Angeles Times, "The best theater to see in L.A. this fall," 11 Sep. 2019 In the telling, the authors illustrate how technical details can enhance delight, rather than obfuscating or deadening it. — Alyssa Rosenberg, Washington Post, "The poetry, prose and physics of baseball," 25 July 2019 But mired in strange, deadening anti-comedy and ticking by the minutes slowly, Harbour has proven, for now, only his ambition to try different sorts of acting. — Daniel D'addario, chicagotribune.com, "‘Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein’ review: David Harbour’s talent exceeds this mockumentary," 17 July 2019 And so is the payoff — a huge building that enhances rather than deadens its surroundings. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "Park-topped Transbay transit center pays architectural dividends, past troubles aside," 26 Aug. 2019 All work and no play can be deadening after a while. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for Aug. 6, 2019: Happy birthday Ever Carradine; Virgo, the wise don’t need to put on a display," 6 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deaden.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deaden

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Time Traveler for deaden

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The first known use of deaden was in 1613

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Statistics for deaden

Last Updated

11 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Deaden.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadens. Accessed 21 November 2019.

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More Definitions for deaden

deaden

verb
How to pronounce deaden (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of deaden

: to make (something) weaker or less noticeable

See the full definition for deaden in the English Language Learners Dictionary

deaden

verb
dead·​en | \ ˈde-dᵊn How to pronounce deaden (audio) \
deadened; deadening

Kids Definition of deaden

: to take away some of the force of : make less Medicine will deaden the pain.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deaden

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deaden

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with deaden

Spanish Central: Translation of deaden

Nglish: Translation of deaden for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of deaden for Arabic Speakers

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