deafen

“The desire to deafen and respond with noise reflects a kind of discredit of the political discourse,” said Christian Salmon, a French essayist.

From New York Times ● May 23, 2023

“Sirens deafen / Everything’s on fire in heaven, heaven,” she sings in what sounds like a moody lullaby.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2022

Opposing sides defecate piles of paperwork at one another, seemingly hoping to discourage or deafen the opponent.

From Golf Digest ● Dec. 6, 2018

“Tribes” isn’t just about auditory deafness, but also the inner voices that scramble the psyche and deafen us to others’ needs, and the difference between cerebral and emotional intelligence.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 13, 2017

Then he leaned over and put a hand beside his mouth, as if he did not wish to be overheard, an effect slightly lessened by his whisper, which was loud enough to deafen.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman

To recognize that the paralysis of suffering deafens us to our own emotions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2023

But indiscriminately blocking or hiding the voices of those you don’t agree with does not silence them; it only deafens you.

From Slate ● Nov. 17, 2016

A seaport, South Street or otherwise, isn’t the right place to experience Dinosaur Jr.—the band is best enjoyed in a dark, enclosed room, where you can adore it viscerally, as it deafens you.

From The New Yorker ● Jul. 14, 2014

When he blows his nose, he deafens his students, listening to his instructions through headphones.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 15, 2012

Dewey’s ears ring with it—a ringing that almost deafens him to the whispery rush of Smith’s soft voice.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

But high winds have deafened the instruments to the rumblings from deeper magma, says Rick Aster, a geophysicist at Colorado State University.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 2, 2024

Others, like dolphins and whales who use sonar for navigation, will be deafened.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2024

The team surgically deafened five mice and recorded their songs in a mouse-size sound studio, tricked out with infrared cameras and microphones.

From New York Times ● Sep. 20, 2023

Mohammad Wali said he was listening to a speaker address the crowd when the huge explosion temporarily deafened him.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 30, 2023

There we shall see all and hear all if we are not deafened by the bells.”

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

The deafening volume at SoFi was the only aspect of the show that got in the way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

But the pine trees lining Krystal Polk's home, in her family for generations, don't protect her from the data center's deafening drone, which sounds like a jet that never takes off.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

The music and cheers blur into a low hum, drowned out by the deafening sound of a ticking clock only Jack can hear.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

It is not certain a loss in Nottingham will result with a head on a spike, though the noise that was deafening in the aftermath of the Ashes will be amplified again.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

And without another word, he marched out onto the pitch to deafening cheers and boos.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling