deaden
deaden — verb
- deadenpresent simple I / you / we / they
- deadenshe / she / it
- deadenedpast simple
- deadening-ing form
1. to make a physical feeling, a sound, or an emotional reaction weaker or less sha
to make a physical feeling, a sound, or an emotional reaction weaker or less sharp, so that it is no longer as strong or bothersome
The dentist used a gel to deaden the pain in Mira's gums before the procedure.
deaden + pain: medical context for reducing sensation
A thick carpet can deaden the sound of footsteps on a wooden floor.
deaden + sound: home improvement context
Felix drank the cold water slowly, letting it deaden the burning in his throat.
The fans' excitement was deadened by the news that the match was cancelled.
The heavy curtains deadened the noise from the busy street outside.
- dull
more common and less clinical; can apply to pain, sound, or emotions but suggests a less complete effect
- numb
specific to physical sensation; implies loss of feeling rather than just reduction
- muffle
applies almost exclusively to sound; suggests a wrapping or covering effect
- soften
gentler and suggests a pleasant reduction rather than a complete removal
文法句型
deaden + noun phrase (pain, sound, feeling)
用法筆記
Object is typically a physical sensation (pain, burning), a sound (noise, footsteps), or an emotional response (excitement, anxiety). Common in medical, home, and soundproofing contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to make something less exciting, lively, or enjoyable, often through repetition
to make something less exciting, lively, or enjoyable, often through repetition or lack of variety, so that it feels flat or empty
The slow pace of the film deadened the audience's interest within the first hour.
deaden + interest: losing engagement from boredom
Years of doing the same tasks had deadened Darius's enthusiasm for his job.
deaden + enthusiasm: work context with repetition
Teaching the same lesson repeatedly had deadened the instructor's usual energy.
A strict daily routine can deaden a child's natural sense of wonder.
文法句型
deaden + abstract noun (enthusiasm, interest, curiosity)
用法筆記
Object is usually an abstract noun relating to interest, enthusiasm, creativity, or curiosity. The cause is typically repetition, monotony, or absence of stimulation.
常見錯誤
3. to gradually lose energy, excitement, or liveliness on its own, without being ac
to gradually lose energy, excitement, or liveliness on its own, without being acted upon by an outside force
As the evening went on, the party began to deaden and people gradually left.
intransitive: party deadens (social event loses energy)
Sumin's excitement about the trip deadened after hearing about the delays.
The conversation deadened when Andrei brought up last year's argument.
The music slowly deadened as the speaker's battery ran out of power.
文法句型
noun phrase + deaden (no object)
用法筆記
Intransitive — the subject itself loses energy rather than having energy removed by an external agent. The subject is often a social event, conversation, performance, or emotional state.
常見錯誤
4. to make colours, light, or an image less bright, clear, or vivid, so that they a
to make colours, light, or an image less bright, clear, or vivid, so that they appear faded or muted
A layer of dust had deadened the bright colours of the old painting.
deaden + colours: physical change in appearance
The thick fog deadened the harbour lights, turning them into soft orange spots.
Charlotte used a filter on her camera to deaden the glare from the midday sun.
The heavy rain deadened the street lamps and made the road hard to see.
文法句型
deaden + visual noun (colour, light, image)
用法筆記
Often used in passive or participial form (deadened colours, deadened light). Object is typically visual: colours, lights, reflections, or the overall brightness of a scene.