deafen

verb deaf·en \ ˈde-fən \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of deafen

deafened; deafening play \-fə-niŋ, ˈdef-niŋ\

transitive verb

: to make deaf

was deafened by the explosion

See deafen defined for English-language learners

See deafen defined for kids

Examples of deafen in a Sentence

We were deafened by the explosion.

Recent Examples of deafen from the Web

Team officials’ recent silence about Vogel has been deafening.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Intrigue surrounds the Magic as their season finale looms," 10 Apr. 2018
By the time the clips roll to President Trump, the theater fills with deafening boos.

— emily zemler, latimes.com, "Bryan Cranston moves beyond 'Breaking Bad' with a new identity in Wes Anderson's 'Isle of Dogs'," 2 Apr. 2018
And within seconds, there was deafening speculation about what went wrong.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard Lean In for a Kiss in the Official 'Allied' Poster," 24 Oct. 2016
For one minute in Orlando City Stadium, where noise is amplified to so that cheers can be deafening, there was absolutely no sound.

— jordan culver, OrlandoSentinel.com, "USWNT honors Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting victims during SheBelieves Cup," 7 Mar. 2018
The cheers during one of the speedskating medal races were practically deafening.

— Washington Post, "For Olympic fans, the real fun starts after the games," 20 Feb. 2018
On Snapchat, a student cowering with classmates under their desks records as the gunman, unseen, lets off more than a dozen deafening shots from the hallway or the next classroom over.

— james burnett, Anchorage Daily News, "Mass shootings have started to look, sound and feel the same – and that’s a problem," 17 Feb. 2018
Then, the sound that erupts after the catch is deafening: Wow.

— charles curtis, For The Win, "Watch the sideline view of Stefon Diggs' insane last-second touchdown," 15 Jan. 2018
This final race of the National Hot Rod Association’s regular season is where drivers make last-ditch efforts to qualify for the championship playoffs and to wow deafened, fume-dizzied crowds with displays of speed greater than 300 mph.

— brett berk, Car and Driver, "Our Entirely Subjective Guide to the Most Important Good-Weather Automotive Events of the Year," 2 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of deafen

1597

DEAFEN Defined for English Language Learners

deafen

verb

Definition of deafen for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) unable to hear

DEAFEN Defined for Kids

deafen

verb deaf·en \ ˈde-fən \

Definition of deafen for Students

deafened; deafening

: to make unable to hear

We were deafened by the explosion.

Medical Dictionary

deafen

verb deaf·en \ ˈdef-ən \

medical Definition of deafen

deafened; deafening play \-(ə-)niŋ\

transitive verb

: to make deaf

intransitive verb

: to cause deafness or stun one with noise

—

deafeningly

play \-(ə-)niŋ-lē\ adverb

Learn More about deafen

Spanish Central: Translation of deafen Nglish: Translation of deafen for Spanish speakers

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deafen

Definition of deafen

Examples of deafen in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deafen from the Web

First Known Use of deafen

DEAFEN Defined for English Language Learners

deafen

Definition of deafen for English Language Learners

DEAFEN Defined for Kids

deafen

Definition of deafen for Students

Medical Dictionary

deafen

medical Definition of deafen

deafeningly

Learn More about deafen

Seen and Heard

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