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
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
Now, Sora 2 might just be another online fad, a reality-deadening distraction that people will soon tire of.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Thin sound deadening The Enabling Technology prize went to CompositeEdge GmbH and ATA Mute BV for a new kind of sound deadening.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Scrolling on one’s phone can be a deadening experience, but here’s someone feeling, or at least pretending to feel, a genuine feeling—even if the abundance of these videos surely numbs us further.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Now, Sora 2 might just be another online fad, a reality-deadening distraction that people will soon tire of.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Thin sound deadening The Enabling Technology prize went to CompositeEdge GmbH and ATA Mute BV for a new kind of sound deadening.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
Scrolling on one’s phone can be a deadening experience, but here’s someone feeling, or at least pretending to feel, a genuine feeling—even if the abundance of these videos surely numbs us further.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
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Does this argument fit the full suite of facts, or are there inconvenient findings that undermine the argument?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
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Bailey asserted that retiree speech could still undermine good order and discipline, and denied that Hegseth’s actions would extend the reach of the military’s punitive powers over retirees.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Snowmaking specialist TechnoAlpin, which is supplying this year’s Winter Olympics, said technology has advanced significantly over recent decades, reducing energy demand and water consumption.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Investors don’t want to inadvertently cheer on weakening job growth that could negatively impact consumer spending and economic growth, hurting stock prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The National Weather Service says the ridge keeping California dry since last month is beginning to weaken.—
Monica Garske,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That fun, high-energy performance by Sabrina Impacciatore was just what this building needed after a lengthy parade of nations that dulled the atmosphere a bit.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Sweep or vacuum bathroom floors more often and mop weekly to remove residue that can dull tile and damage grout over time.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At some point, those fuel sources will be exhausted, no further energy will be naturally extracted from what remains within them, and those once-brilliant objects will fade away into darkness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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On Wednesday, more than 200 repair crews were at work in Kyiv to restore power, according to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, which said that staff were exhausted and would be rotated.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Murray’s focus on tax measures in his quote may dampen expectations that the Labour government is about to improve the high-end TV tax credit, which industry doyens have been calling for for some time now.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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There’s little to suggest the current incident will dampen the clan’s ambition to push further into the $51 billion global baby formula industry.—
Tara Patel,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup cooking water, and drain pasta.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Bulldogs drew up a play for Jake Heidbreder, who calmly drained an open 18-footer on the left baseline at the buzzer and was mobbed by students spilling out of the Save Mart Center stands.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition, the measure would have significant negative economic impact on the Northern Colorado region, potentially diminish cherished and time-honored campus traditions, and erode the public safety infrastructure the campus has put in place to support students and the broader community.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Facial hair prevents the mask from properly sealing to your face, diminishing its guarantee of protection.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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