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
as in silence
incapacity for or restraint from speaking
we were baffled by his uncharacteristic muteness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mute
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
His encounters include an apparently mute teen acrobat played by Kinski, who appears topless in a scene.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2025
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
Sue Li, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 June 2026
Wetzel came to see collaborative songwriting as a way not to mute his point of view but to sharpen it.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Her media muteness gave her an icy cool, letting her work do the talking, both attributes that many luxury brands aspire to.
—Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
The pair visited director Richard Donner, who raised the idea of playing a deaf and mute character to O'Halloran.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
His encounters include an apparently mute teen acrobat played by Kinski, who appears topless in a scene.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Noun
Additional features include one-touch mute for up to 10 hours, micro-mesh insect protection, soft night lighting to minimize disturbance, and bilingual English and French voice alerts for multilingual households.
—New Atlas, 25 Dec. 2025
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
Verb
Using a vegetable peeler, shave a modest amount of Parmesan onto a plate (a mound of grated Parmesan may look impressive, but all that clumpy cheese mutes the dressing).
—Sue Li, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 June 2026
Wetzel came to see collaborative songwriting as a way not to mute his point of view but to sharpen it.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Noun
Audrey Hudson, twenty-four, is a gifted battlefield surgeon who feigns muteness to comfort Carter Reynolds, a combat soldier deafened by an explosion.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Her media muteness gave her an icy cool, letting her work do the talking, both attributes that many luxury brands aspire to.
—Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mute
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
Adjective
-
This battery system will enable up to 12 hours of silent scientific operations powered entirely by batteries, reducing both emissions and underwater noise that can interfere with sensitive marine research.—
Dea Jusufi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
The system’s movements are perfectly precise, silent and ultra-smooth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
International travel is expensive, for one, and worries around immigration enforcement have put a damper on the festivities for some fans, according to reporting from The Guardian.—
Jenna Thompson
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
The weather, though, could put a damper on things.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Following anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a national security law that has virtually silenced all dissent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
Bilton swiftly fired Pelley, but failed to silence him.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
But these suites are also closest to the elevators, and the historic walls don’t adequately muffle the sounds of other guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Nolan's team and IMAX worked together to create a special housing for the camera to muffle the sound of its operation.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Here are a few takeaways from the sentencing hearing, including Heuermann’s muted statement, the heartfelt and emotional speeches from victims’ families and the next steps on the road to justice.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
Pair it with pale blues and garden greens to double up on muted hues, or embrace the cinnamon hue and layer it with earth tones.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Trae Young won Madison Square Garden’s undying enmity in the 2021 playoffs for the Atlanta Hawks, punctuating game-breaking shots by shushing the crowd or bowing to the fans and waving goodbye.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Nourishing your body quiets your mind and eases fear.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
His fears about losing followers after revealing his identity were quickly quieted by an outpouring of support.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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