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
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 deadened
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
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
Adjective
-
But a new study of people in this state suggests the anesthetized brain still picks up sounds, words and even conversations.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
-
Other teams soon showed that astrocytes in dishes, brain slices, and even anesthetized animals responded to various neurotransmitters.—
Ingrid Wickelgren,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her crime undermined and endangered legitimate nonprofit organizations that rely on donations and taxpayers' funds to carry out necessary and important charitable work.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
But Dennis has also undermined another ESPN property, the WNBA, by openly rooting against Caitlin Clark’s fans.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Kentucky and Utah have reduced levies.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
In many ways, Kris aches to be reduced to such simple matter, to strip away all of her heady anxiety and surrender to basic want.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
After the first injection, Plaintiff appeared drugged on camera.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Maryam turned her back to me and soon drifted into a deep, drugged sleep.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, when the researchers adjusted the findings for other factors that can affect risk for the conditions, known as confounders — such as genetic and familial influences and the reasons for taking antidepressants — most links significantly weakened or disappeared.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Starmer’s authority weakened after Labor’s poor performance in recent elections, blamed on policy missteps, economic struggles, and the prime minister’s controversial decisions, including appointing an ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
His helmet was not matte black, after all, but scratched up and dulled by dings and scuffings.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
17 May 2026
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
Verb
-
The Cavaliers and Pistons have exhausted each other in a seven-game series that won’t end until Sunday, while the Knickerbockers have been off since last Sunday.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
People are exhausted by the daily onslaught of bad headlines.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadened. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
