1
as in speechless
unable to speak
the child is both deaf and mute because her hearing was lost at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
remained mute no matter how much we pleaded for an answer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in quieter
a device on a musical instrument that deadens or softens its tone
I was practicing my trumpet at three in the morning when the mute fell out, and I managed to wake everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to muffle
to deaden the sound of
closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mute
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
The deaths had a mute irrefutability.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Detwiler mutes or turns off the bodycam a few times throughout the arrest.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
In the investing space, the boss of the world’s biggest investor, Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tagen, told CNBC he was surprised by how muted the market action has been to the war, saying he is concerned by the long term impact of higher oil prices.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
Atkin rotates uphill, alley oop, in the opposite direction to the natural flow of the pipe, and spins 540 degrees (one and a half rotations) before finishing with a mute grab.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
The deaths had a mute irrefutability.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
The mutes, the dropouts, the sense that an idea had sprung from the artist’s chest, been scrambled into code, then reassembled in a fugue.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Detwiler mutes or turns off the bodycam a few times throughout the arrest.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
The attacks came a day after Israeli airstrikes hit in Tehran as Iranians celebrated the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that has been muted by the war.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
In the investing space, the boss of the world’s biggest investor, Norges Bank Investment Management CEO Nicolai Tagen, told CNBC he was surprised by how muted the market action has been to the war, saying he is concerned by the long term impact of higher oil prices.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mute
Adjective
-
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
-
Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Imogen Poots stars as silent film star Gloria Swanson, who had a passionate affair with Joe Kennedy Sr.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
With the help of a silent backer, the designer establishes Schiaparelli Pour le Sport at 4 rue de la Paix.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Under both regimes, Black voices and ideas are silenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It was finally silenced, to cheers from the crowd, but then the main scoreboard and video screen that hangs over the middle of the court went dark.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Indeed, attempts to muffle criticism have backfired, some observers believe.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Their calls are often muffled by static and wind because his cousin uses two phones to conduct them — one to call Fattahi and the other to reach his mother.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In markets, trading has been mixed across Asia, while European futures indicate a muted open.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Joey Wiemer jumped on a 2-1 splitter below the zone for a three-run blast that put a quick damper on Imanaga’s strong spring finale.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
With its adaptive dampers and massive brakes, the M5 moves swiftly and with confidence.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Clay Holmes threw 5 2/3 innings, Devin Williams recorded his first save in a Mets uniform, and the Mets limited the Cards to only five hits throughout the entire game, quieting the bats that made a lot of noise in their season-opening series.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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But an upcoming launch on April 1 — the first time astronauts will ride aboard NASA’s Space Launch System moon rocket and Orion capsule — could quiet the program’s critics.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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