deafeningly

/ˈdefnɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdefnɪŋli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-fə-niŋ-lē ˈdef-niŋ-/ (ame, mw)

deafeningly — adverb

1. with so much noise that the sound feels painful, overwhelming, or impossible to

1.副詞C1
釋義

with so much noise that the sound feels painful, overwhelming, or impossible to ignore

例句

The school bell rang deafeningly across the empty playground at dawn.

verb + deafeningly for sudden loud sound

A truck horn went off deafeningly outside Hassan's window before sunrise.

同義詞
  • loudly

    the general word for high volume, without the stronger idea of overwhelming the ears

  • thunderously

    suggests a deep, rolling loud sound, often from weather, applause, or engines

  • earsplittingly

    stronger and more dramatic, with an even clearer suggestion of physical discomfort

反義詞
  • quietly

    with little sound rather than overwhelming volume

  • softly

    with a gentle or low sound

  • silently

    with no sound at all

文法句型

verb + deafeningly (ring / roar / explode / cheer)

deafeningly + adjective (loud / noisy)

用法筆記

Often appears with verbs such as ring, roar, explode, cheer, or blast. It stresses that the volume is extreme enough to overwhelm the ears, not just that something is fairly loud.

常見錯誤

❌The baby coughed deafeningly in her sleep.
✅The baby coughed loudly in her sleep.
💡'Deafeningly' is for sounds so intense that they overpower hearing, not ordinary loud noises.

2. in a way that stands out because someone says nothing or gives no reaction when

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a way that stands out because someone says nothing or gives no reaction when people expect an answer or action

例句

After the leak, City Hall stayed deafeningly silent about the missing emails.

stay/remain deafeningly silent about + issue

When Sofie asked about the cuts, the directors were deafeningly silent.

同義詞
  • wordlessly

    describes no spoken words, but without the same strong sense of expected response

  • without comment

    common when someone refuses to answer questions or criticism

  • tight-lipped

    focuses on deliberate refusal to reveal information rather than silence itself

反義詞
  • openly

    shows views or feelings in public instead of withholding them

  • promptly

    responds quickly instead of leaving an obvious silence

文法句型

be / stay / remain deafeningly silent

deafeningly silent about + noun

用法筆記

This sense is usually used with 'silent', especially in news or commentary. It suggests that the silence itself feels meaningful because a statement, explanation, or decision is expected.

常見錯誤

❌The library was deafeningly silent because everyone was studying.
✅The library was completely silent because everyone was studying.
💡'Deafeningly silent' usually suggests a pointed lack of response, not an ordinary quiet place.