DEADENER Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

deaden

verb

ˈde-dᵊn

Definition of deaden

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

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 Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Without a hint of carpet or foam or anything else to deaden the sound, the stark white interior of the GT3 is a delightful acoustic overload. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 16 Mar. 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 The evening signaled that this is not the type of show that will deaden an artist behind glass vitrines. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deaden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden

Verb

But the party’s past debates over crime and safety threaten to undermine that pitch.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Future plots to imprison a critic of the MAGA movement might not be undermined by a loudmouth president who can’t help but give away the scheme.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Analysts are less optimistic that the latest intervention could fundamentally alter the broader course of the yen’s weakening.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
If the partner feels disconnected from the hotel brand, the benefit may add utility while weakening the program’s positioning.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

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
Your taste buds change at altitude Cabin pressure dulls your ability to taste salt by up to 30%, which is why airline food can taste bland and, well, terrible.

— Cindy Dees, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of dull

Verb

If the United States decided to send ground forces into Iran on the scale necessary to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, defending those forces could exhaust the remaining stocks of advanced air-defense systems.

— Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Both player exhausted their eligibility as seniors last season and went undrafted, but with the new ruling, could find their way back to Orlando.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

The current El Niño weather pattern could dampen chances of storm development, according to meteorologists from Colorado State University.

— Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 29 July 2026
This vinegar typically gets better with age, so there’s no need to worry about an expiration date dampening your culinary plans.

— Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Definition of dampen

Verb

One thing that might be over — or at least greatly diminished — will be submissions for the supporting acting categories for limited series/movie next year if the academy makes this revision permanent.

— Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Errors damaged trust and diminished influence whether or not the robot was expressive.

— Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deadbeats

deaden

dead-end

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

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Synonyms of deaden

verb

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