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
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Recent Examples of mute
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Another vast silence is a field gone mute with it.
—Marianne Boruch, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her — sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
—Vulture, 12 Dec. 2022
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
However, California’s enthusiasm for sports appears muted at the individual level.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mute
Adjective
Being forced to put modern life on mute was, in its own way, radical, though our meetings were tremor-free.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Another vast silence is a field gone mute with it.
—Marianne Boruch, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
Combined mode shows the total level for both inputs and mutes both at once.
—Phil Nickinson, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her — sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
—Vulture, 12 Dec. 2022
Verb
Cancer June 21 – July 22 The outside world is being temporarily muted.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
However, California’s enthusiasm for sports appears muted at the individual level.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
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
-
While current work on the development is silent, crews are only waiting for county permits to build, the developer said.—
Larry Seward,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The quiet ethic often called Minnesota Nice is outshining the intimidation meant to silence dissent.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Universities are under threat of government interference, book banning has reached unprecedented levels, journalists and artists and media outlets and attorneys are being punished, silenced, and doxed, and dissent everywhere is being criminalized.—
Gioia Woods,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The weight loss drugs seem to muffle cravings for substances like tobacco and alcohol as well as food.—
Sarah Todd,
STAT,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, six interchanges were reconfigured and 7 miles of noise-muffling walls were installed.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After years of muted activity at the midseason, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas kickstarted a flurry of activity Tuesday — first cementing a three-team trade to acquire Jaden Ivey from Detroit, then offloading Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Recreate the look in a similar muted color scheme, like allover cloudy white, or play around with vivid color combinations like Miami teal and head-to-toe pinks.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other performance upgrades include active all-wheel drive, twin-valve dampers, and the automaker’s 48-volt Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system, all of which will combine to provide a ride that feels fun and smooth.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Here, the Multimatic True Active Spool Valve dampers (TASV) pranced and pranged over bumps, dips and cracks.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some shushed the crowds, urging them to be silent and reverent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Levy sat on the floor, watching like a proud father and shushing whisperers.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kimmel quotes from one popular manual, published in 1916, that advised quieting a crying baby by flipping it over and administering a vigorous spanking.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Arrange a tender ceremony After the explosion of color and dancing that was the mehndi, the couple quieted things down for their wedding ceremony, which was purposefully and carefully organized not to be tied to any one religion or culture.—
Kaitlin Menza,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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