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
Relevance
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
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 deaden
The cabin should be quiet thanks to the sound-deadening acoustic front and side glass.
—
Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
This can lead to more innovative solutions overall, and more importantly, avoid the formation of echo chambers that stifle creativity and deaden logical critique.
—Stephen Turban, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
This can lead to more innovative solutions overall, and more importantly, avoid the formation of echo chambers that stifle creativity and deaden logical critique.
—Stephen Turban, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for deaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden
Verb
-
Miranda Jeyaretnam and Chad de Guzman reported on April 30, 2025, for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, on how President Donald Trump is undermining U.S.-Vietnam reconciliation.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
-
This kind of long-term vision is undermined by drastic and unpredictable trade policies.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fires in the area.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Ars Video The technique reduced the lag between the patient’s brain signals and the resultant audio from the eight seconds the group had achieved previously to one second.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Apr. 2025
-
As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.—
Jim Pauley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The clarity might improve, but the spark—the particular cadence of someone’s thinking, the messy brilliance of their raw insight—can get dulled in translation.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The intentionally half-baked approach to Season 2 foreshadows an overstuffed and potentially controversial third season, the emotional effect of which will be dulled by the likely long hiatus (Season 1 premiered in January 2023).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Dominate a single platform Many entrepreneurs exhaust themselves trying to maintain presence across every social channel, newsletter platform, and podcast directory.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The gorilla could easily maim several men before being exhausted.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Such a move would also signal Beijing’s continued commitment to the dollar system and dampen speculation about an emerging BRICS currency or a broader push toward de-dollarization.—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Trump’s comments dampened investor sentiment over hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal.—
Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Payne drained a 3-pointer the next time down the floor to tie the game, 98-98.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Stroll around and behold the sprawling gardens, luxurious poolside accommodations, spectacular ocean views and the fresh sea air and let the stress drain from your soul.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Whereas a decline in home values diminishes the equity investors might hold in their properties, which limits their ability to leverage assets for additional investments or refinancing opportunities.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Meanwhile, a more constrained and domestically focused healthcare agenda is likely to diminish trust in federal health agencies, limit access to culturally competent care and produce a loss of global leadership in health innovation.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share