deaden

verb

ˈde-dᵊn How to pronounce deaden (audio)
Definition of deadennext
1
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling a couple of aspirins deadened the headache

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deaden Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Without a hint of carpet or foam or anything else to deaden the sound, the stark white interior of the GT3 is a delightful acoustic overload. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 16 Mar. 2026 Merrill had the same impulse—the need to become a self not necessarily free of all that money could buy but not crippled or deadened by it, either. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 The evening signaled that this is not the type of show that will deaden an artist behind glass vitrines. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
  1. undermine
  2. reduce
  3. weaken
  4. dull
  5. exhaust
  6. dampen
  7. drain
  8. diminish
Verb
  • State leaders have introduced Assembly Bill 1383, which undermines crucial PEPRA guardrails, granting an unfunded pension benefit increase to first responders by reducing their retirement age.
    — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026
  • For American tech companies, free and comparable Chinese models like K3 threaten to undermine their own products.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • The additional sleep provided by the bassinet also is believed to reduce burnout and postpartum depression in working moms and dads.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • There is an endless debate about crime, its causes and how to reduce it.
    — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • That makes the hot and cold sides quickly equalize, clearly weakening electricity generation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • The Kospi Index has tumbled 25% since its June peak, resulting in a $1 trillion wipeout that threatens to weaken its global clout.
    — Winnie Hsu, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Your diplomatic touch can set kind boundaries without dulling your warmth.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • The 22-year-old was long considered ill-suited for grass, given how the surface dulls the athletic foundation of her game and rushes her forehand.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of dull
Verb
  • With little time to recover on the ball, such sequences only serve to exhaust Argentina, running low on energy to exert such pressure themselves.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • This rule doesn’t apply to the high school class of 2022, many of whom exhausted their NCAA eligibility with the 2025-26 season.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • These prohibitions on gene editing and transfer reduce the land area where trees created with transformation approaches could be grown, and dampen interest in associated research.
    — Steve Strauss, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Aulton recommends using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with tepid water to gently clean both the tops and undersides of the leaves.
    — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026
Definition of dampen
Verb
  • The shattered standing forlornly by the podium at the end of a draining tournament, hearts broken, bodies exhausted, having to watch as the opposition receive the reward that England were agonisingly close to.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Ryan Fox took home the Claret Jug after draining a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • None of these concerns diminish the strength of the Jersey Mike’s brand.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • At 28 years old, clubs will also factor in his diminishing resale value.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of diminish

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deadbeats
deaden
dead-end
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Cite this Entry

“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of deaden for Spanish Speakers

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