1
as in undermines
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 reduces
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a couple of aspirins deadened the headache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadens
Verb
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This not only undermines local public media but also calls into question the wisdom of isolating Arkansas from a national network and associated resources that serve millions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026 -
Chronic stress keeps the nervous system stuck in a fight-or-flight state that quietly undermines physical progress before a workout even begins.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This reduces the risk of unforeseen physics complications needed for commercial operation, according to the Type One Energy.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
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Metro also began a tap-to-exit program at certain high-crime stations, with the idea that removing fare-jumpers also reduces crime.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Insisting on noninterference, Beijing offers foreign leaders capital and legitimacy without requiring transparency, human rights safeguards, or competitive elections—a model that strengthens incumbents and dulls democratic accountability.—
JANE HARMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Nov. 2025
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None of that dulls the original game, nor its portrayal of Alma.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The denial exhausts the city’s legal options for the 2022 ballot measure, known as Measure C.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
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Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Dec. 2025
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Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cold weather drains batteries quickly.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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The great Amazon in its north drains large areas as does the Parana-River Plate watershed to its south that reaches the Atlantic in the estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, The San Francisco flows north for hundreds of miles before hooking a right and dropping to the Atlantic.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But those long hours sitting at a desk, commuting by car or public transport, and spending leisure time in front of screens also diminishes opportunities for the legs to be challenged.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Deadens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadens. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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