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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of deaden
Schjerfbeck also liked the way Degas bleached his pastels to deaden their tone.
—
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.
—Arne Carlson, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Our default options provide shelter for a fraction of those who need it and at the same time deaden streets, crowd the sky, and anger neighbors.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2025
Rather than slash and swing away after spotting the play, Stott tried to get the ball down and deaden it, increasing the level of difficulty.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.
—Arne Carlson, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Our default options provide shelter for a fraction of those who need it and at the same time deaden streets, crowd the sky, and anger neighbors.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2025
Rather than slash and swing away after spotting the play, Stott tried to get the ball down and deaden it, increasing the level of difficulty.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
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The reason this feels so different to teachers than the tech panics of the past is that there is no clear solution to how AI is undermining nearly every aspect of education.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
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The cost of maintaining death row prisoners and a number of botched executions in recent years—lethal injections or gas administrations that take far too long to work, for example—have also undermined confidence.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Smith said after talking to Gregg, Wheels Up reduced the price to $850, but storage fees for having the car since April 1 bring the grand total to at least $2,600.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Much like Vietnam, only a lot faster, the American war in Iran has reduced itself to saving face.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sinlaku is forecast to continue weakening through the next few days, the National Weather Service said, passing west of the islands of Alamagan, Pagan and Agrihan through the latter half of the week.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Some target the bacterial cell wall, weakening it until the cell breaks apart and dies.—
Panteha Torabian,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite its stellar cast, the cumbersome plot dulls the comedic beats that would otherwise be razor-sharp.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps the avalanche of artificial intelligence has dulled our capacity to be amazed by space technology.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Gophers’ top centers, Sophie Hart and Finau Tonga, were graduate players last season and have exhausted their eligibility.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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Americans are exhausted from the pandemic, the 2022 inflation surge, tariffs.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Not even a prankster who drew five fire engines to the scene with a false report of a fire could dampen the crowd’s enthusiasm, Schmidt writes.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
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The four-year hiatus did little to dampen enthusiasm for the series, which saw stars Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and more return.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your 12th House of Silence hosts ambitious Mars, who’s cheering on Pluto in your 10th House of Audiences, turning private prep into public credibility without draining you.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
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This elegant plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring minimal care.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Quiet Maryam and mercurial Farhan—eight years apart—had often squabbled, gone through periods of not talking, but without her sister as a foil, Maryam was diminished.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The result, of course, is that both nations are diminished.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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