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
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 mute
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Democrats largely did not speak her name, were mostly mute about the new sentencing memo, and none joined a protest outside the courthouse.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2021
Lenin, too, suffered from manic rage and erratic behavior, and died in his early fifties confined to a wheelchair after multiple strokes left him mute and paralyzed.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2016
Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
While the stock market’s reaction to the news was muted, many investors spoke out against the deal.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
Bee's signature product is a $49.99 bracelet, and a corresponding Apple Watch app, designed to record all ambient audio unless the user manually activates a mute function.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Democrats largely did not speak her name, were mostly mute about the new sentencing memo, and none joined a protest outside the courthouse.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Idealizing the beauty of the bucolic landscape often minimizes the labor tied to it, and so Yu disrupts any sense of the natural world as mute and pleasant.
—Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2021
Lenin, too, suffered from manic rage and erratic behavior, and died in his early fifties confined to a wheelchair after multiple strokes left him mute and paralyzed.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2016
Verb
The resumption of flights expected to boost not just tourism but cooperation in other areas between the two nations.
– Yeo Boon Ping
In the markets
Indian markets were muted on Thursday, with both the benchmark Nifty 50 and the BSE Sensex index closing flat.
—Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025
While the stock market’s reaction to the news was muted, many investors spoke out against the deal.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 12 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
-
However, Maxwell also disputed conspiracy theories suggesting someone outside the jail had Epstein killed to keep him silent.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
This image, taken in Anilao, Philippines, reflects the silent impact of pollution and the resilience of marine life.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Trump and Lake silenced an organization that began during World War II, intended as a U.S. counterbalance to authoritarian propaganda.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
This firing is designed to silence dissent across the government.—
Bruce Japsen,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The mic picks up your voice cleanly, so your squad hears you without static or muffling.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 July 2025
-
National Autism Resources notes that many people on the autism spectrum are sound sensitive, and suggests that headphones that muffle sound could be beneficial.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever that is, Donzelli’s generous, empathetic but respectfully muted film gives him time and space to write his way toward it.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
29 Aug. 2025
-
There's a chunky carrot puree, too, with muted sweetness and infused with a healthy shot of ginger and topped with fresh mint.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The one major slight that really puts a significant damper on things was the Jake Walman trade.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Saturday brought wind into the equation along with the damper roughs, ratcheting up the difficulty on a course that was already putting the field into submission holds.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Jena asked, for which she was shushed), that was spotted and strong enough to kill a man.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Aug. 2025
-
In the background of the video, the 35-year-old could be heard mumbling offscreen before Megan playfully shushed him.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Carlos Rodón quieted the Red Sox offense and Dustin May gave up three homers as the Yankees won 7-2 to avoid their first sweep of four games or more by the Red Sox at home since 1939.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
-
As dusk falls, the Himalayas blush pink, and the village quiets—wrapped in mountain shadow, the hush broken only by distant chanting and wind.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share