as in anesthetic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in undermining
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a couple of aspirins deadened the headache
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadening
Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Yet by themselves, tools, methods, processes and structures are inert and deadening.
—Steve Denning, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
And the shine from his latest gold medal hasn’t come close to deadening.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadening 
Verb
Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
Her days increasingly consisted of soul-deadening meetings and consultations.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Yet by themselves, tools, methods, processes and structures are inert and deadening.
—Steve Denning, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
And the shine from his latest gold medal hasn’t come close to deadening.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadening
Adjective
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However, medication involving the anesthetic, ketamine, has shown promise in recent years for treating these hard-to-resolve depressive symptoms.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
22 Jan. 2025
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After this, a local anesthetic agent is sent through the needle, followed by a radiofrequency current.2 The current produces heat that helps destroy the nerve, transmitting pain signals to the brain.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This subjectivity can lead to inconsistencies in how the rule is applied, potentially undermining the fairness of the game.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Critics argue that billionaire owners could censor critical commentary, undermining journalism's role in holding power accountable.—
Flynn Nicholls,
Newsweek,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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These chatbots can resolve common employee queries, automate ticket routing and provide 24/7 assistance, reducing dependency on support staff.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.—
James K. Glassman,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Studies have shown that cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, may have powerful analgesic effects, which have led to growing interest in their use for chronic pain management, especially in patients who do not respond to traditional painkillers.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2025
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In the study, a team of researchers led by the neuroscientists Francis Lee at Weill Cornell Medicine and Anjali Rajadhyaksha at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University blocked the rewarding properties of opioids in mice while preserving the drugs’ analgesic effects.—
Richard A. Friedman,
The Atlantic,
29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Indeed, a persistent criticism is that their artistic approach evades urgent issues in favor of abstract or anodyne statements.—
Travis Diehl,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
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The lobby, with its collection of elevators, scowling security guards and small glass turnstiles, is cold and anodyne.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some critics and documentary filmmakers say that mandate is reductive and numbing.—
Michael Powell,
New York Times,
25 Sep. 2022
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Aside from being scientifically fascinating, the special effect of these peppercorns is also a key component of Sichuan cuisine’s greatest gift to the culinary world, a numbing and spicy flavor profile known as málà.—
Chala Tyson Tshitundu,
Bon Appétit,
29 Sep. 2021
Adjective
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Their fusion of folk instrumentation and electronic production makes for a hypnotic, genre-blurring experience.—
Rob Reed,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Svengali sets his sights on Trilby O’Farrell (Marian Marsh), an artist’s model, and the sinister teacher’s pattern of manipulation and ruin seems to be repeating itself yet again—but Trilby’s old lover, Billee (Bramwell Fletcher), seeks to discover the truth about Svengali’s hypnotic influence.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near deadening
Cite this Entry
“Deadening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadening. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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