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

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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
The keyboard also offers features like voice-to-chat dictation and a quick mic mute/unmute key, giving you easier access to functionality. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 13 July 2026 The Cubs lineup was on mute Friday night against Reds ace Hunter Greene, who struck out 12 in seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win at Great American Ballpark. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Noun
Gazes tangle, sound mutes, time bends. — Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026 On a recent afternoon, the pair of mutes roamed the tiered backyard. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
The thick gray clouds hanging over Carter-Finley Stadium muted the July sun. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026 Our expectations for Procter & Gamble on Wednesday morning are fairly muted. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 26 July 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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of speechless
Adjective
  • Physicians, despite their leverage, often remain silent due to cultural pressures.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • David May was the joker in the team; Paul Scholes was the silent assassin, sat there at the back, throwing comments.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of silent
Noun
  • The system operates by altering the magnetic field to adjust fluid viscosity inside the dampers, continuously modifying compression and rebound damping.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
  • While the car transmits every ripple in the road, its trick Multimatic dampers round off imperfections beautifully, so the chassis never feels discombobulated.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
Definition of damper
Verb
  • Hitter of the Year Sami Williams’ bat was silenced at the hands of the Talons’ aces — Georgina Corrick also tossed a complete-game gem in Game 1 — going hitless in Chicago’s revenge effort.
    — Molly Keshin, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • These headphones also get Bose's QuietControl active noise canceling (ANC) chops and six mics to silence unwanted sounds around you.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
Definition of silence
Verb
  • Educational lectures at the aquarium and the sounds of traffic on the street both came through clearly, not remotely muffled.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026
  • Plus, darker tones help muffle visual clutter, creating a calming mood that feels loads richer than your budget might suggest.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Definition of muffle
Adjective
  • Despite the film’s slow-cinema touches, its storytelling structure and emotionality — even though muted and quiet — recall instead the melodrama at its most facile.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • Anger was further fueled by what was perceived as a muted response from the government about the protesters demands, which included compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after the exam paper leaks.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 24 July 2026
Definition of muted
Verb
  • 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
  • As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
    — Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Definition of shush
Verb
  • In Allentown, in a minor-league ballpark patrolled by the Pork Racers and populated by children from summer camps screaming their lungs out, the external noise quieted.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • The room quieted as the program paused to acknowledge people whose lives and work had affected the community.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mute

Nglish: Translation of mute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mute

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