deaden

1 to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense Synonyms castrate, damp, dampen, dehydrate, desiccate, devitalize, enervate, geld, lobotomize, petrifyRelated Words burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, sap, tucker (out), undermine, weaken, wear, wear out; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispiritNear Antonyms arouse, rouse, stir; charge, electrify, galvanize; excite, ferment, fire, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, spark, trigger, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, inspire, lift; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, reenergize, refresh, regenerate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, reviveAntonyms brace, energize, enliven, invigorate, quicken, stimulate, vitalize, vivify

2 to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling a couple of aspirins deadened the headache Synonyms benumb, blunt, cauterize, damp, dampen, dull, numbRelated Words muffle, mute, tone (down); decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), lower, reduce, subdue; debilitate, enfeeble, weaken; dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane; alleviate, ease, lighten; abate, moderateNear Antonyms amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen; animate, arouse, stimulateAntonyms sharpen, whet