deaden

D2E1A1D2E1N1
/ˈdɛdən/

verb

To render less lively; to diminish; to muffle.

“deaden sound”

Similar
dampendampgirdleblunt
Opposite
enliven
UncommonScrabble 8
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Meanings

verbdeaden (third-person singular simple present deadens, present participle deadening, simple past and past participle deadened)

present singular third person deadens · participle present deadening · participle past deadened · past deadened

  1. transitiveTo render less lively; to diminish; to muffle.

    deaden sound

    5 more examples

    deaden the pain

    deaden the senses

    Painkillers helped to deaden the pain.

    Thick curtains deaden the sound of traffic.

    Routine can deaden one’s enthusiasm.

  2. intransitiveTo become less lively; to diminish (by itself).
  3. transitiveTo make soundproof.

    to deaden a wall or a floor

Synonyms & antonyms

verbmake vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible

Similar
dampendamp
Broader
dampendampsoften

verbcut a girdle around so as to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients

Similar
girdle
Broader
incise

verbmake less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation

Similar
blunt
Opposite
enliven
Broader
changealtermodify
Also see
bluntdampdampendesensitizegirdleobtund

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From dead + -en. Compare Dutch doden (“to kill”), West Frisian deadzje (“to kill”).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan insonoritzar
  • insonoritzarTo make soundproof
French endormir, assourdir
  • endormirTo render less lively
  • assourdirTo make soundproof
  • isolerTo make soundproof
German abtöten
  • abtötenTo render less lively
Irish bodhraigh
  • bodhraighTo render less lively
Italian intontire, smorzare
  • intontireTo render less lively
  • smorzareTo render less lively
  • attenuareTo render less lively
  • sminuireTo render less lively
Polish przytępiać, przytępić
  • przytępiaćTo render less lively
  • przytępićTo render less lively
  • tłumićTo make soundproof
  • stłumićTo make soundproof
Spanish amortecer, amortiguar
  • amortecerTo render less lively
  • amortiguarTo render less lively
  • apagarTo render less lively

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with deaden

armageddonreddenleadenLeadonbreadenspermageddon
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

deaden. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deaden

MLA

“deaden.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deaden. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “deaden,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deaden.

Source: deaden on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.