mute 1 of 3

adjective

ˈmyüt How to pronounce mute (audio)
Definition of mutenext
1
as in speechless
unable to speak the child is both deaf and mute because her hearing was lost at birth

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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

mute

2 of 3

noun

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

mute

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to silence
to stop the noise or speech of muted the television while she was on the phone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 mute
Adjective
Your iPhone 13 is missing the Action Button, a customizable shortcut key that replaced the age-old mute switch. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026 Although networks must understand that the audience could truly just press the mute button and watch in silence, the contracts for these broadcasters keep getting sillier and sillier. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
Huffman turned his mute on and his camera off. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026 Gazes tangle, sound mutes, time bends. — Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
While censors didn’t catch the F-bomb on the live broadcast and stream, SNL posted the sketch to social media later that night with the word muted. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026 There’s no flashy design and no over-the-top exterior, instead muted hues and lots of marble. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mute
  1. speechless
  2. silent
  3. damper
  4. silence
  5. muffle
  6. muted
  7. shush
  8. quiet
Adjective
  • By the end, the audience is left almost speechless — and still thinking about this singular, deeply original performance long after Lyons has left the stage.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of speechless
Adjective
  • Final Thoughts The Hisense 8,000 BTU UltraSlim Smart Inverter is a standout window air conditioner that effortlessly balances sleek design, near-silent operation, and top-tier performance.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The California Democratic Party opposes the measure, but many of its leading officials have stayed silent.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of silent
Noun
  • This Dodge Charger reboot in Scat Pack form isn’t a cush highway cruiser, but the adaptive dampers keep it from getting skittish over broken Midwest pavement.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Fang Cheng Bao Meanwhile, the DiSus-M (Magnetorheological Fluid Damping System) uses magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers instead of air chambers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of damper
Verb
  • Jasper, in Chicago, understands the risk of silencing those hunger cues.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The event silenced critics who doubted the practicality of using ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel at sea.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of silence
Verb
  • Attempts to muffle creative voices through bullying and strong-arm tactics are fundamentally anti-American and have become all too common in recent years.
    — Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
  • After two hours of practice, with the 10-foot-tall fences doing little to muffle the bullhorn orders and corresponding groans, the huddle broke and the personalities sprung to life.
    — Noah White, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of muffle
Adjective
  • The characters wear muted, sweeping gowns, their hair often loose.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Stock futures are mixed this morning after the S&P 500 kicked off the week with a muted session.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of muted
Verb
  • They were repeatedly shushed instead as the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3) fell to 13-10 in their marquee event after failing to keep pace with a USC offense that averaged nearly eight yards per play through the first three quarters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
  • His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of shush
Verb
  • It’s been a tumultuous journey but coming to Atlanta this season has been the perfect move for the three-time All-Star, whose accomplishments this year have quieted many of her critics.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And while those stories will live on forever, DeBoer is still working to quiet the noise that comes with every decision made regarding his football team.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet

Browse Nearby Words

mutations
mute
muted
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Cite this Entry

“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mute

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mute

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