unhear
Wish away sound
To unhear is to undo the hearing of something—to make it as if you never heard it.
The word appears almost exclusively in expressions of impossibility: I can't unhear that, You can't unhear it once you know.
Something you wish you could unhear is usually disturbing, embarrassing, or ruinous to your previous understanding.
Fail to recall
- unrememberTo cease recalling
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
- wipe awayRemove by rubbing
blank out · purge · unsay · delete · remove · undo · reverse · nullify
Withdraw previous words
- recantFormally withdraw a statement
- unsayRetract a statement
- unspeakRevoke what was uttered
- withdrawRemove or pull away
rescind · revoke · disavow · renounce · call back · annul · invalidate
Deliberately stop attending
- block outConceal by covering
- filter outSelectively block passage
- shut outPrevent all scoring
- disregardWillful lack of attention
ignore · dismiss · screen out · mental block · noise-cancel · drown out · override
Mentally erase a sight
- unlearnDiscard ingrained knowledge
- repressHold back forcibly
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- dissociateSever a mental link
block · compartmentalize · defense mechanism · coping · healing · therapy · recovery · PTSD
Cannot be undone
- indelibleImpossible to remove
- permanentFixed without end
- unforgettablePermanently fixed in memory
- hauntingDisturbingly unforgettable
echoing · lingering · seared · branded · scarred · toothpaste tube · Pandora · stuck in head
forget
Fail to recall
- unrememberTo cease recalling
- obliterateDestroy all traces of
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
wipe away · blank out · purge · unsay · delete · remove · undo · reverse · nullify · let go
take back
Withdraw previous words
withdraw · rescind · revoke · disavow · renounce · call back · annul · invalidate
tune out
Deliberately stop attending
- block outConceal by covering
- filter outSelectively block passage
- shut outPrevent all scoring
disregard · ignore · dismiss · screen out · mental block · noise-cancel · drown out · override
unsee
Mentally erase a sight
dissociate · block · compartmentalize · defense mechanism · coping · healing · therapy · recovery · PTSD · triggering
irreversible
Cannot be undone
- indelibleImpossible to remove
- permanentFixed without end
- unforgettablePermanently fixed in memory
haunting · echoing · lingering · seared · branded · scarred · toothpaste tube · Pandora · stuck in head · earworm