deafen

verb

deaf·​en ˈde-fən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening ˈde-fə-niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)
ˈdef-niŋ
; deafens

transitive verb

: to make permanently or temporarily deaf
was deafened by the explosion

Examples of deafen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The deafening crack of the explosion arrived a second or two later. Jim Clash, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Molly Sharp, a web designer who lives just a few blocks from the Arco, evacuated last week to a friend’s house across town with her teenage son as the deafening windstorm bore down on the neighborhood. Ken Bensinger, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Colorado elk are renowned for their deafening bugle and pointy antlers—but alas, not for their belaying skills. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Jan. 2025 Anfield is always hyped, but for this game, at this moment, the noise levels will be deafening. Joe Prince-Wright, Nbc Sports, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deafen 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deafen was circa 1586

Dictionary Entries Near deafen

Cite this Entry

“Deafen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deafen. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

deafen

verb
deaf·​en ˈdef-ən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)
: to make deaf
deafeningly
-(ə-)niŋ-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

deafen

verb
deaf·​en ˈdef-ən How to pronounce deafen (audio)
deafened; deafening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce deafen (audio)

transitive verb

: to make permanently or temporarily deaf

More from Merriam-Webster on deafen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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