deadened 1 of 2

adjective

as in anesthetized

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deadened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of deaden
1
as in undermined
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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 deadened
Verb
Exposing the dental pulp and cleaning out the cavity’s contents also would have deadened the nerves and blood vessels there, leading to pain relief, Zubova said. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadened
  1. anesthetized
  2. undermined
  3. reduced
  4. drugged
  5. weakened
  6. dulled
  7. stupefied
  8. exhausted
Adjective
  • Direct evidence on the mole-rat brain response to isopropyl myristate came from functional ultrasound imaging, a technique that tracks blood flow non-invasively in an anesthetized animal.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
  • Future research could help clinicians guide the anesthetized brain toward a sleep-like state, rather than a coma-like one.
    — Lucy Nemchek, Hartford Courant, 15 May 2026
Definition of anesthetized
Verb
  • Their ability to help should not be undermined by corporations determined to bleed them dry.
    — Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Chelsea’s lack of centre-back continuity undermined them throughout last season, but Lacroix is already comfortable playing in a back three after working under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of undermined
Verb
  • Graphics will reportedly be reduced, all of which could affect the quality of broadcasts.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • After a two-month trial, Bowman instructed jurors to deliberate on second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges — reduced from first-degree murder charges by prosecutors last week.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 21, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of reduced
Adjective
  • The entire group ends up drugged and kidnapped by bad guys looking for a nuclear warhead.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, the effects of this high-pressure, drugged performance show.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
Definition of drugged
Verb
  • Researchers, educators, and policymakers questioned whether broadcasting encouraged juvenile delinquency, weakened family relationships, and gave governments and media organizations unprecedented influence over public opinion.
    — Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Hochul, who weakened the state’s climate goals and signed off on new gas pipelines, is again an example.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of weakened
Verb
  • On a Friday morning drive to Jackson Park and the start of WNBA All-Star Game festivities, an overcast sky dulled the spectacular horizon line of Lake Michigan.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Ampere’s research appeared to suggest that the influx of romance book adaptations and romance drama in general has dulled the appetite for reality shows about love.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of dulled
Adjective
  • The boy is stupefied, snot intermingling with the puke dripping from his mouth to his navel.
    — Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of stupefied
Verb
  • Players were exhausted after nearly two years of shifting restrictions and the stress of constantly facing the possibility of solitary confinement in a foreign city.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • While the use of subpoena power against journalists has always been highly controversial, officials in past administrations sometimes justified it by arguing it was used as a last resort, after other investigative avenues were exhausted.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Definition of exhausted

Browse Nearby Words

dead ends
deadened
deadening
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Cite this Entry

“Deadened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadened. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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