1
as in speechless
unable to speak
the child is both deaf and mute because her hearing was lost at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
Being forced to put modern life on mute was, in its own way, radical, though our meetings were tremor-free.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her — sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
—Vulture, 12 Dec. 2022
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
For some, though, conversations about ICE have been muted by fear.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
The gain knob feels a little loose and imprecise, making fine adjustments a little fiddly, and the physical mute button produces an audible click if pressed while recording.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
Being forced to put modern life on mute was, in its own way, radical, though our meetings were tremor-free.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
Combined mode shows the total level for both inputs and mutes both at once.
—Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her — sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
—Vulture, 12 Dec. 2022
Verb
So for anyone who’s struggling to create that distance, Jeter suggests starting small and committing to just one month of no direct communication—along with blocking or muting them online.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
For some, though, conversations about ICE have been muted by fear.
—Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Feb. 2026
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
-
The first call for help was a silent text message from an emergency beacon, mobilizing a small army of rescuers dispatched from different directions.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Despite being a quick walk from downtown Palm Springs, the Historic Tennis Club is snoozy and near-silent—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That restraint is precisely what feels absent in much of today’s discourse, where criticism of state action is often conflated with hatred of a people, and where historical trauma is sometimes used to silence moral questions rather than deepen them.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
But over the next three minutes, UNLV silenced the home crowd with a rapid 15-0 run spearheaded by 10 points from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn to narrow the Broncos’ lead to 64-62.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The weight loss drugs seem to muffle cravings for substances like tobacco and alcohol as well as food.—
Sarah Todd,
STAT,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, six interchanges were reconfigured and 7 miles of noise-muffling walls were installed.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This provided a clean palette for the recreation of muted, period-accurate tones with subtle, textured colors set against the deep wood grains, which complemented the 35mm Kodak film stock.—
Bill Desowitz,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Queen’s impact has been a bit more muted and inconsistent since Zion Williamson re-entered the lineup for the New Orleans Pelicans.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sea-Doo has also added a hydraulic steering damper to reduce unwanted steering input and improve stability when riding at high speed.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But this Valentine’s Day, Kansas Citians shouldn’t let the weather put a damper in their plans.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated February 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Two years before Tony Clark’s sudden resignation made Bruce Meyer the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Meyer composed a letter to quiet the union members calling for his ouster.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Learning about his genes has quieted those anxieties.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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