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

Jamming “can blind and deafen an aircraft very quickly and very dangerously, especially if you lose GPS and radar and you’re a jet flying at 600 miles an hour.”

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2022

Across Los Angeles, studio denizens accustomed to providing all-hours access for musicians on creative benders have been wandering hallways and pondering ways to deafen the silence.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2020

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

From Golf Digest ● Dec. 6, 2018

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

Another said: "I have 2 very excited daughters. Almost got deafened by the screaming when the purchase was verified."

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 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

The telescope is among the most sensitive in the world at these low frequencies, but it could soon be deafened by signals emanating from a mundane source: electric trains.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 7, 2023

I’m deafened by the chorus of screams that come up from the audience.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

The announcement of City's line-up was drowned out by deafening jeers, while banners around Anfield carried a variety of messages.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

But these sights are drained of their warmth, depicted with a cold, eerie hum that, when it bleeds into the roar of suffering miles away, becomes a deafening cacophony.

From Salon ● Sep. 21, 2026

The noise coming from the stands was deafening — “like nothing else that you would ever hear,” Guardabascio said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 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

Even with her hands over her ears, the prolonged bellowing of the demon was practically deafening.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull