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
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
For this new work, Andrews has forged Sophocles’ Electra with Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 gripping classic, Persona, a film that starred Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson playing, respectively, a famous theatre actress, inexplicably struck mute, who is cared for by a young nurse.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Detwiler mutes or turns off the bodycam a few times throughout the arrest.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
There is always, of course, the option to mute or exit the group, which is now possible to do quietly, without announcing it or leaving behind a digital trail.
—Sara Lieberman, Curbed, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
Complicating matters is the fact that Maddie is deaf and mute, forcing her to utilize her other senses to stop the killer from claiming her as his next victim.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
For this new work, Andrews has forged Sophocles’ Electra with Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 gripping classic, Persona, a film that starred Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson playing, respectively, a famous theatre actress, inexplicably struck mute, who is cared for by a young nurse.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
The mutes, the dropouts, the sense that an idea had sprung from the artist’s chest, been scrambled into code, then reassembled in a fugue.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025
Detwiler mutes or turns off the bodycam a few times throughout the arrest.
—Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
And the violent scenes aren’t grotesque or didactic — think of Miles’ muted trumpet sound reconfigured as resurrection visuals, of his ability to play and stage ballads so well that their uptempo momentum moves into territories too macabre to mute.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
There is always, of course, the option to mute or exit the group, which is now possible to do quietly, without announcing it or leaving behind a digital trail.
—Sara Lieberman, Curbed, 4 Mar. 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 internet does not work and mobiles are silent.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Rosi returns repeatedly to this theater, and to other films about the area, including the silent-era Last Days of Pompeii, suggesting that his own film might itself be part of an ongoing archival plunder.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Defiance then silence The Iranian women’s team has been contesting the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia during a week of turmoil for their country as the conflict with the US and Israel escalates to take in neighboring countries.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of silencing the public and turning them away, Democrats should stay and do the job they were elected to do.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Taylor Logsdon, who lives close to the power plant and is part of a community group opposing the project, said the sound wall hasn’t done much to muffle the turbines or reassure neighbors.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The heavy snow will muffle the sound -- or thunderclap -- so it can only be heard up to about three miles.—
February 22,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The staterooms are a testament to this, decked out in muted tones of gold, silver and blue.—
Helen Wright,
TheWeek,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Jamner said to expect muted reactions in financial markets to the release, typically closely monitored on Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Second, severe winter storms likely put a big damper on hiring in weather-sensitive industries like construction and leisure and hospitality.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Other mechanical features include two-axle air suspension with Alpina-specific damper and kinematic tuning, along with electromechanical anti-roll bars and stiffer rear axle bushings.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 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
-
But things quieted considerably when second baseman Ethan Mendoza caught Cotton trying to stretch his lead into a triple with a laser-like throw to third base.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
-
No amount of willpower or motivational self-talk can quiet a mind that automatically runs through every worst-case scenario.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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