1
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a couple of aspirins deadened the headache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in anesthetic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 deadening
Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
By studying the images, engineers can confirm and enhance the sonic-boom-deadening properties for the XB-1's airframe.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Lightweight glass, a reduction of sound-deadening materials, and the marginally lighter 6-speed manual gearbox help the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet weigh 3,505 pounds—the company's lightest manual open-roof variant.
—Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
In times of intensifying economic inequality, when many of the jobs on offer are precarious, underpaid, and spiritually deadening, the prospect of becoming your own boss holds a lot of appeal.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadening
Adjective
To that end, Cadillac at least ramps up the sound deadening to improve NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) that an internal combustion engine might otherwise drown out.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025
By studying the images, engineers can confirm and enhance the sonic-boom-deadening properties for the XB-1's airframe.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Lightweight glass, a reduction of sound-deadening materials, and the marginally lighter 6-speed manual gearbox help the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T Cabriolet weigh 3,505 pounds—the company's lightest manual open-roof variant.
—Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
In times of intensifying economic inequality, when many of the jobs on offer are precarious, underpaid, and spiritually deadening, the prospect of becoming your own boss holds a lot of appeal.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadening
Verb
-
Caracas insists the buildup is part of a broader campaign directed at undermining President Nicolás Maduro’s government.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
-
By targeting us – the creators who give voice to diverse narratives and foster dialogue – these signatories are undermining their own cause and attempting to silence us.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The confirmation came just two days before the Fed is expected to vote on reducing its key interest rate.—
Adeola Adeosun
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Every action counts, whether reducing HFCs, investing in sustainable cooling, or holding governments accountable for climate commitments.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the central bank is now shifting focus to a weakening labor market, as job growth has slowed in recent months.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Amodei’s comments come as recent data points to a labor market that is weakening quicker than expected.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In parts of Southeast Asia, totality will begin as the full moon rises, dulling the effect.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Soaring temperatures and drought also sends trees into stress, dulling the experience of fall foliage.—
Emilee Coblentz,
Outside,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The draft, titled Development of Non-Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Pain, outlines steps to creating and seeking alternative chronic pain treatments amid the opioid epidemic, specifically the development of non-opioid analgesic products.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
An analgesic medication that works in the brain to reduce mild to moderate pain by increasing the body’s pain threshold and changing the way the body senses pain.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The second stage was able to regain attitude control and managed to climb to a peak altitude of 198 miles (320 kilometers) before exhausting its fuel.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Lula was imprisoned in 2018, but he was released in November 2019 after the Supreme Court ruled that defendants can’t be jailed before exhausting appeal options.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But many are now finding that geopolitics is blunting their ambitions.—
Joyce Jiang,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Other times, long rates resist or even rise, flattening the curve and blunting the Fed’s impact.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadening. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share