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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadens
Verb
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Every photo-op in Washington, every meeting with Israeli officials, every call for international intervention reinforces the regime’s narrative and undermines the legitimacy of the protests.—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
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Nothing undermines success like a lack of stability, and of course, a lacking quarterback.—
Verb
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This degradation not only reduces the usable active material but also creates side reactions that drain performance and shorten battery lifespan.—
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At the same time, hyaluronic acid—the gold standard for hydration—locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, and reduces texture, creating a soft, plump finish.—
Verb
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An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
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Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Verb
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None of that dulls the original game, nor its portrayal of Alma.—
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Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.—
Verb
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The denial exhausts the city’s legal options for the 2022 ballot measure, known as Measure C.—
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Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Verb
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Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.—
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Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Verb
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Cold weather drains batteries quickly.—
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The great Amazon in its north drains large areas as does the Parana-River Plate watershed to its south that reaches the Atlantic in the estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, The San Francisco flows north for hundreds of miles before hooking a right and dropping to the Atlantic.—
Verb
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But those long hours sitting at a desk, commuting by car or public transport, and spending leisure time in front of screens also diminishes opportunities for the legs to be challenged.—
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
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Cite this Entry
“Deadens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadens. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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