deadens

verb

present tense third-person singular of deaden
1
as in undermines
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
2
as in reduces
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 deadens Oppressively hot, lie-down-and-take-a-nap hot, hydration-break hot, the kind of hot that deadens feet. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadens
  1. undermines
  2. reduces
  3. weakens
  4. dulls
  5. exhausts
  6. numbs
  7. drains
  8. diminishes
Verb
  • Opponents of the death penalty say Robertson’s case undermines claims that executions deter murder.
    — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • An instructor who demands agreement with a pro-Israel position undermines intellectual freedom just as surely as one who demands agreement with an anti-Israel position.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of undermines
Verb
  • This reduces the turbulence around the suspension and in the trailer’s wake, and lowers the aerodynamic drag.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • There are studies suggesting that being on a regular training regimen reduces your risk of cancer recurrence.
    — Samantha Ciaccia, Glamour, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • If one connection weakens, Halo can use other available links to preserve connectivity.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Precipitation is expected to gradually taper off Thursday afternoon as the storm system moves east and weakens.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • Monét sings prettily on both duets, but their conventionality dulls her shine.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Key Takeaways Airborne hydrogen sulfide dulls silver, so many pieces need regular cleaning.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of dulls
Verb
  • Instead of occupying both sides with large cooling vents, air enters toward the front of the station and exhausts through the rear.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If the low-breadth market finally exhausts itself and rolls over, your capital at risk is mathematically capped at that 3%.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausts
Verb
  • The slime of some species also numbs an attacker’s tongue, protecting them from predators.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
  • This is the type of consistency that numbs fans from their love of the game.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of numbs
Verb
  • Until, suddenly, the life drains from his eyes, sometimes for barely a second, and returning before anyone else in the scene notices.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The all-in-one dock cleans the spinning dual mops with hot water, dries them with warm air to prevent musty smells, and automatically drains and refills the water tank.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of drains
Verb
  • Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns.
    — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • By effectively raising the threshold in the playoffs, the NFL acknowledges that over-officiating diminishes the product and that marginal penalties should not decide its most important games.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishes

Browse Nearby Words

deadening
deadens
deadhead
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Cite this Entry

“Deadens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadens. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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