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
-
These dampers act as a block at the main duct trunk line, causing your system to function like there isn’t a vent in that particular room at all.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
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With a curb weight of 5,180 lbs (2,350 kg), this PHEV is no featherweight, but the twin-valve dampers do a good job of controlling the ride and hiding that mass.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Verb
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That America kills children abroad and silences criticism at home.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
27 May 2026
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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
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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Before the chatter can continue, Sharon Leone (Diane Farr), the Cal Fire Division Chief and mother of Bode Leone (Max Thieriot), quickly shushes everyone and reminds them to focus.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
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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Sweeping views over Hyde Park and expert soundproofing that hushes those busy London street horns.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
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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
Verb
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See how things look after the dust settles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutes. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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