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
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Recent Examples of deaden
Horror of this scale has the effect of deadening words, making stories of the most unimaginable violence land with a dull thud.
—
Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The Finnish midfielder deadened the ball with a foot and quickly chipped it laterally over nearby defenders.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The Finnish midfielder deadened the ball with a foot and quickly chipped it laterally over nearby defenders.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
-
One bad manager or leader can, in but a few months, undermine a team with decades of collective service to the organization.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Whatever desire the audience might have to root for Kerr is undermined by his mounting failures in the ring and his growing friction with Dawn.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But with her coalition prospects in doubt, and the party weakened by scandal and voter frustration, her route to Japan’s top job is far from assured.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Studies have found that, in some instances, background noise can weaken territorial responses in males.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Topping it with butter or sugary spreads will also dull any potential benefits.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Instead of softener, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to naturally soften towels and remove detergent residue without dulling the color.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of gradually boiling into insanity, the film hits fever pitch hallucinations right away and quickly exhausts itself attempting to keep pace.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Vacherot won the next two points, exhausting Djokovic in a rally to get to 40-Ad.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some early studies suggest that taking these anti-inflammatory drugs before or immediately after a shot might dampen your immune system’s response, since inflammation helps your body create antibodies.—
Ashley Wong,
Health,
8 Oct. 2025
-
All of that dirt wouldn’t entirely dampen the sound of your screaming, so there’s always the chance some benevolent gravedigger could save you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
González, not known as a shooter when the Celtics drafted him, drained one of two 3-point attempts.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Most indoor plants are watered from the top until the water drains from the pot through the drainage holes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their patches of habitat and their water sources are diminishing; their feeding timeline has grown increasingly erratic, and more barricades are being built all the time, limiting their freedom of movement.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
-
And another sign the perception is of a Panthers team diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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