as in dampers
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
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as in muffles
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 mutes
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
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
Combined mode shows the total level for both inputs and mutes both at once.
—Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Robinson is the favorite to start, which would mean Towns sliding over to power forward, which mutes some of his offensive superpowers.
—New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The host mutes everyone upon entry.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Critics allege that Google’s dominance not only undermines traditional publishing revenues but mutes the diversity of online voices, accelerating the decline of the open, accessible web, just as Google admitted behind closed doors, in court.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
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
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
Combined mode shows the total level for both inputs and mutes both at once.
—Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Canned water chestnuts are blanched before packing, which mutes their flavor slightly but preserves their crispness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Robinson is the favorite to start, which would mean Towns sliding over to power forward, which mutes some of his offensive superpowers.
—New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The host mutes everyone upon entry.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Critics allege that Google’s dominance not only undermines traditional publishing revenues but mutes the diversity of online voices, accelerating the decline of the open, accessible web, just as Google admitted behind closed doors, in court.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mutes
Noun
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The vehicle also features a closed dual-chamber air suspension system and dual-valve CCD electromagnetic dampers designed to improve ride comfort, stability, and handling dynamics.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
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Here, the Sport+ drive mode does a commendable job of keeping the transmission in the meaty parts of the powerband, while dialing the dampers back to Sport achieves the right balance of body control and compliance on these less-than-perfect road surfaces.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Preclinical research shows long-term estrogen deprivation epigenetically silences BDNF in the hippocampus, blunting the brain’s response to exercise over time.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
2 May 2026
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This erosion of consistency silences our voices and creates a deep distrust in our electoral system.—
Kathy Schmitz,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although the snow sometimes muffles the thunder, the lightning can be seen, said meteorologist Grant Gilmore, formerly of WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Stress lights up the brain’s threat circuits in the amygdala and quiets the prefrontal cortex — the region responsible for reasoning and self-control.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 May 2026
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In simpler terms, magnesium glycinate quiets excitatory brain signals, helps your body shift into sleep mode and reduces the stress hormones that keep you wired at night.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
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Autumn hushes the Codrii forest, where mushrooms push through damp soil and the air smells of woodsmoke and moss.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Venturella’s appointment comes as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin settles into his role atop the Cabinet agency overseeing ICE.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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There will be both winners and losers when the dust settles.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutes. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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