deafen

verb

deaf·​en ˈde-fən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening ˈde-fə-niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)
ˈdef-niŋ
; deafens

transitive verb

: to make permanently or temporarily deaf
was deafened by the explosion

Examples of deafen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The best-of-five series kicks off on Thursday at the Victoire’s deafening Place Bell. Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 14 May 2026 And yet, from certain sectors of the political world, there is yet again a deafening silence. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026 There was now a Turn 10 viewing area where fans could get pretty close to the track and experience the deafening sound and body-tingling sensation of cars zooming by at more than 100 miles per hour. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026 Audrey Hudson, twenty-four, is a gifted battlefield surgeon who feigns muteness to comfort Carter Reynolds, a combat soldier deafened by an explosion. Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deafen

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deafen was circa 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deafen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deafen. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

deafen

verb
deaf·​en ˈdef-ən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)
: to make deaf
deafeningly
-(ə-)niŋ-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

deafen

verb
deaf·​en ˈdef-ən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)

transitive verb

: to make permanently or temporarily deaf

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