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Definitions

deafen

[def-uhn] / ˈdɛf ən /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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“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

They then compared sonograms of the songs of deafened mice with those of hearing mice.

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

If you were deafened by Gary Cully's entrance, ears were melting when Taylor made her entrance just before 11pm in Dublin.

From BBC ● May 20, 2023

Even under his noise-canceling headset, Baseer said, the blast deafened him.

From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2022

Just then, despite being deafened, I heard a girl’s voice scream out, “Will! Will Tweedy! You aw-right, Will?”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Ockwell-Smith says the volume of advice can be "deafening and confusing".

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

He preened, grabbed his oversized scissors and opened his mouth to boast, but no one could hear a single word over the deafening roar of Marine One’s idling engines.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

They greeted her with a roar, cheered every point, and screamed with such deafening volume that her opponents made a string of unforced errors in the middle of a game.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 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

This deafening fire alarm makes it mad hard to think.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera




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