deafening

1 of 2

adjective

deaf·​en·​ing ˈde-fə-niŋ 

ˈdef-niŋ

1

: that deafens : that causes someone or something to become deaf

2

: very loud : earsplitting

fell with a deafening clap

3

sometimes offensive : very noticeable

Their silence on the issue was deafening.

deafeningly adverb

deafening

2 of 2

present participle of deafen

Synonyms of deafening

Adjective

• loud
• ringing

Examples of deafening in a Sentence

Adjective

the deafening roar of the planes

a boom box blasting deafening music

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dixon said other issues to be considered are the deafening roar of traffic passing under the footbridge on I-91 and how to soften it. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Each time the Swiss team scored, a deafening roar cut through the thick tropical air. — Rob Schmitz, NPR, 24 June 2026

The bear was almost on top of us when, with a deafening roar, the shot from both barrels smacked into that enormous shaggy head. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 2