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
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
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
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Another said that the usual crush of gallery-goers that has come to descend on the Melrose Hill area during openings was noticeably muted this year.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
Matteo Atti, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
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
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
Normally the level ticks upward in spring, but the effect is likely to be muted this year unless storms start stacking up in the mountains.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Another said that the usual crush of gallery-goers that has come to descend on the Melrose Hill area during openings was noticeably muted this year.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
-
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
-
This manicure plays with two shades of green, a muted olive and a vibrant shamrock.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Guest rooms are decked out in muted coastal blues and offer ocean views, the SEA Wellness Spa specializes in hydrating and anti-aging facials, massages, and nailcare, and a restaurant, lounge, and bar serve a variety of salads, seafood, and cocktails.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 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
-
Do those patterns help quiet the brain's tendency toward rumination and overthinking?—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
-
When master sushi chef Andy Matsuda stepped forward, the room quieted.—
J.M. Banks
March 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Warner Brothers waits to be subsumed by Netflix or Paramount, cinemas are losing customers to streaming, and franchise entertainment continues to dumb us all down.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The show turns ten this year, and its design remains resolutely old-school: no video pivot (yet), no attempts to tighten conversations, no instinct to dumb anything down.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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