DEADEN Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

deaden

verb

ˈde-dᵊn

Definition of deaden

as in to undermine

to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling a couple of aspirins deadened the headache

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 deaden Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably. — John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Without a hint of carpet or foam or anything else to deaden the sound, the stark white interior of the GT3 is a delightful acoustic overload. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 16 Mar. 2026 Merrill had the same impulse—the need to become a self not necessarily free of all that money could buy but not crippled or deadened by it, either. — Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 The evening signaled that this is not the type of show that will deaden an artist behind glass vitrines. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deaden

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deaden

Verb

Eight maritime groups signed a joint open letter to the UN and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Monday, warning that introducing tolls could drive up costs for consumers and undermine the principles of free navigation.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Burnout research explains why organizational systems often undermine that recovery.

— Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

Studies show that drinking more fluid—preferably water—can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation and recurrence.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Perhaps the palm-tree mural emphasizes the open windowlessness of the subterranean, or the flat color dulls exertion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Abrasive scrubbers can dull protective and glossy topcoats and strip oils from wood, so use something with milder scrubbing power.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dull

Verb

The ruling involves 16 men's basketball players who sued the NCAA in Cobb County Superior Court in July after exhausting four seasons of college eligibility.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Cinema has lately exhausted the emotional mileage of the Ukraine–EU border, but one wittily choreographed setpiece involving the couple’s border crossing finds in transition an ingenious point of convergence between gender and geography.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

Officials noted that the rainstorm could help dampen the spread of the fire but also brings strong winds that could further elevate fire risk.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Higher interest rates are the Fed's most potent weapon to temper high inflation because costlier borrowing can dampen purchasing demand, helping to cool the economy.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of dampen

Verb

Your table is ready, the waiter said, and Rebecca drained her glass and stood.

— Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Most of the region’s sewers were engineered generations ago to drain well under 2 inches of rain per hour, and a cloudburst can deliver double that amount.

— Ravi S. Bhalla, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Instead, the fresh requirements appeared to diminish prospects for a quick deal, despite optimism last week an agreement was near.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
But they’ve never been litigated — and the developments are already stoking fears of diminishing Fed independence as the central bank weighs whether to raise interest rates at its next meeting.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Browse Nearby Words

deadbeats

deaden

dead-end

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“Deaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deaden. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deaden

verb

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