deadens
Makes less intense
Deadens means makes less intense, sharp, or lively.
Padding deadens sound; medication deadens pain; routine deadens enthusiasm.
The thick carpet deadened their footsteps.
Years of disappointment had deadened her capacity for hope.
The word implies a dulling or muffling rather than complete elimination.
Reduces sharpness or intensity
- mutesSilences or softens
- bluntsDiminishes keenness or force
- dampensLessens intensity or moisture
- suppressesActively prevents expression
anesthetizes · numbs · desensitizes · stifles · diminishes · lessens · reduces · weakens
Suppresses sound
- absorbsTakes in fully
- insulatesReduces thermal transfer
- dampensLessens intensity or moisture
- quietsReduces noise or agitation
silences · buffers · softens · cushions · smothers · stifles · baffles · acoustic
dulls
Reduces sharpness or intensity
suppresses · anesthetizes · numbs · desensitizes · stifles · diminishes · lessens · reduces · weakens · sedates
muffles
Suppresses sound
quiets · silences · buffers · softens · cushions · smothers · stifles · baffles · acoustic · foam
numbs
Deprives of sensation
- suppressesActively prevents expression
- repressesSubdues or restrains forcibly
- stiflesSuppresses or restrains
smothers · extinguishes · kills · crushes · flattens · quashes · squelches · inhibits · mutes · blankets
desensitizes
Makes less responsive
- anesthetizesCauses loss of sensation
- numbsDeprives of sensation
- freezesHardens from cold
paralyzes · blocks · lidocaine · novocaine · topical · injection · nerve · sensation · tingling · icing
- verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
- shut downturns off, powers down, deactivates, switches off, kills
deadensamplifies
Increases strength or volume
intensifies · heightens · strengthens · magnifies · increases
deadensenlivens
Makes lively or spirited
animates · invigorates · vivifies · revitalizes · energizes
deaden, deadened, deadening, deadest, deadeningly, deadener, deadeners