1
as in speechless
unable to speak
the child is both deaf and mute because her hearing was lost at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
remained mute no matter how much we pleaded for an answer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in quieter
a device on a musical instrument that deadens or softens its tone
I was practicing my trumpet at three in the morning when the mute fell out, and I managed to wake everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to muffle
to deaden the sound of
closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mute
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Today, the buildings stand as mute witnesses to the mobilization of past war efforts.
—Don Sproul, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Chris Smith, BGR, 18 May 2022
Aminatta had come to Kissy from a crowded low-income neighborhood in the city, mute and immobile with a depression that had never been treated.
—New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022
Abby Dupes, Allure, 26 Sep. 2025
Heat and drought are bad combinations for trees, putting stress that could mute autumn colors.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
The Silent Sinner, made by Campanacci’s CampanacCinema Studios, is mostly silent — Skrzynecka’s femme fatale is both deaf and mute — relying on music and montage to hold the audience’s attention.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Today, the buildings stand as mute witnesses to the mobilization of past war efforts.
—Don Sproul, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Other nice-to-have features include some ruggedness in the design, so the phone doesn’t need a case, IP68 water, and dust resistance, a hardware mute switch, and eSIM support.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 18 May 2022
Aminatta had come to Kissy from a crowded low-income neighborhood in the city, mute and immobile with a depression that had never been treated.
—New York Times, 11 Apr. 2022
Verb
Vibrant oranges, milky mints, bright blues, and muted peaches from the album cover mingle well with golds and silvers, high-shine gloss, glitter, ombré, and aura fades.
—Abby Dupes, Allure, 26 Sep. 2025
Heat and drought are bad combinations for trees, putting stress that could mute autumn colors.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mute
Adjective
-
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
-
Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Designed for comfort and performance, this exercise bike uses magnetic resistance for a silent, frictionless ride.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Those reasons will spill out over time — certainly the silent Jem won’t interrupt.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But our industry — and artists around the world — have a long history of refusing to be silenced, even in the darkest times.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In a prerecorded message, Lee said silencing a voice cannot silence an idea and urged attendees to carry on Kirk’s mission.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Riley said that would muffle sound produced by the data center.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
-
This is the perfect opportunity for the Business Roundtable to advocate for its members in a forceful, direct challenge to the administration, but it has been perplexingly muffled.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The muted colors and suede fabric give it an antique feel, and the berry and pinecone accented greenery at the top looks like it was pulled right off grandma’s tree.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Vatican offered muted congratulations to Mullally on her appointment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Helping harness grip in the S5 is fully independent five-link suspension at all four corners—the only member of the segment to have it—plus a sport differential and adaptive dampers.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Justin Thomas found himself in the unique position of trying to amp up the crowd in support of his team, while also trying to shush them so that his opponents could have a fair chance of playing.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Booing begins, and then shushing, and then booing again.—
Matthew Shen Goodman,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a primetime game at home, this is the perfect environment for Sean Payton’s group to round into form and for quarterback Bo Nix to quiet an increasingly loud group of doubters.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Punishing a few will quiet many.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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