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
Relevance
1
2
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Sue Li, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 June 2026
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
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
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
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
-
Twin-valve dampers and air springs firm up well beyond the levels of standard Continentals.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
-
The front and rear tracks have been stretched like the Civic Type-R, which donates its front dual-axis and rear multilink suspension to the Prelude, as well as its adaptive dampers, which have been recalibrated for a more comfortable ride.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
An immersive spa day, from signature massages to holistic sessions, silences the noise.—
Judith Garrison,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
-
That America kills children abroad and silences criticism at home.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Ozempic quiets this noise for a lot of people.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Your intellect quiets the naysayers.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Sweeping views over Hyde Park and expert soundproofing that hushes those busy London street horns.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
-
The top itself is an eight-layer cloth construction that satisfyingly hushes the cabin when raised.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Soft, salt‑sweet air settles over a stretch of sand where no one seems in a rush to be anywhere else.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
17 June 2026
-
Still, after the dust settles, the Iranian regime may end up in a better financial situation than before the war started.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mutes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mutes. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
