deaden

/ˈdedn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdedn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-dᵊn/ (ame, mw)

deaden — verb

  • deadenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • deadenshe / she / it
  • deadenedpast simple
  • deadening-ing form

1. to make a sound, feeling, light, or effect weaker or less sharp, so people notic

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a sound, feeling, light, or effect weaker or less sharp, so people notice or feel it less

例句

The thick curtains deadened the traffic noise from the avenue outside.

transitive: reduce the strength of a sound

A cool cloth on Mei's forehead helped deaden the pain after the fall.

deaden + pain to make discomfort less strong

同義詞
  • dull

    often focuses on reducing brightness, interest, or sharpness rather than a broad effect

  • muffle

    more specific to sounds that become harder to hear

  • soften

    often sounds gentler and more positive, especially for tone or impact

反義詞
  • intensify

    to make a feeling, effect, or sound stronger

  • sharpen

    to make something clearer, stronger, or more noticeable

文法句型

deaden + noun phrase (pain/noise/light/effect)

用法筆記

This sense is usually transitive and often appears with nouns for sound, pain, light, colour, shock, or tension. It suggests reducing sharpness or intensity rather than removing something completely.

2. to lose energy, freshness, or liveliness until something feels dull, flat, or no

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to lose energy, freshness, or liveliness until something feels dull, flat, or no longer active

例句

The crowd's excitement deadened after the singer left the stage.

intransitive: an atmosphere loses energy

By winter, the shopping street had deadened after three stores closed.

place becomes less lively over time

同義詞
  • fade

    suggests a gradual loss of strength or vividness

  • die down

    more informal and especially common for noise, excitement, or activity

  • flatten

    suggests losing energy or emotional force, especially in atmosphere or response

反義詞
  • revive

    to become lively, active, or strong again

  • brighten

    to become more cheerful or lively

文法句型

noun + deaden (become less lively or less energetic)

用法筆記

This sense is intransitive. It describes a mood, place, conversation, or general atmosphere gradually becoming less lively or spirited, not a direct act of killing something.

常見錯誤

❌The poison deadened the fish.
✅The poison killed the fish.
💡'deaden' usually means making something less lively or less strong, not simply causing death.