deadened

• Décrit ce qui est devenu moins sensible, intense ou vivant ; émoussé, étouffé, ou rendu insensible.

Describes something that has been made less sensitive, intense, or lively; dulled or muffled.

1. Reduced in intensityB2formal

   Made less intense, sharp, or strong; dulled.

   atténué

   • The thick curtains deadened the sound of the traffic.
   • The medication deadened the pain in his knee.
   • The cold weather deadened the colors of the landscape.

   Synonymesblunteddimmeddulledmuffledmutedsoftenedtemperedweakened

   Antonymesincreasedintensifiedsharpenedstrengthened

2. Lacking feeling or sensationB2formal

   Having lost physical or emotional sensation; numb.

   engourdi, insensible

   • Her fingers were deadened by the freezing wind.
   • After the shock, his emotions felt deadened.
   • The local anesthetic deadened the area around the wound.

   Synonymesbenumbedinsensateinsensiblenumbsenselessunfeeling

   Antonymesacutealiveawakefeelingkeenresponsivesensitive

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de réduire l'intensité, la force ou la vivacité de quelque chose, comme un son, une douleur ou une sensation.

A verb used to indicate the act of making something less intense, strong, or lively, such as sound, pain, or sensation.

1. Make less visible or obscureC1formal

   To make something vague, obscure, or less visible, such as an image or sound.

   Rendre moins visible ou obscurcir

   • The thick fog deadened the distant lights of the city.
   • The soundproofing deadened the noise from the street.
   • The artist used a technique to deaden the brightness of the colors.

   Synonymesclouddimdulleclipsemuffleobscureshroudveil

   Antonymesbrightenclarifyilluminaterevealsharpen

2. Kill by girdlingC2formalscientific

   To cut a ring around a tree's bark to interrupt the flow of water and nutrients, causing it to die.

   Tuer un arbre par annelage

   • The farmer deadened the old apple tree by girdling its trunk.
   • They deadened the invasive species by cutting a girdle around the base.
   • Girdling is a method used to deaden unwanted trees without chemicals.

   Synonymesgirdle

3. Deprive of spirit or vitalityC1formal

   To make something vapid, dull, or lacking in spirit or excitement.

   Priver de vie ou de vitalité

   • The repetitive routine deadened his enthusiasm for the job.
   • The constant criticism deadened her creative spirit.
   • The long meeting deadened the energy in the room.

   Synonymesbenumbbluntdampendeflatedullenervatenumbquenchsapsmotherstiflesuppress

   Antonymesanimateenergizeenliveninspiritinvigoratequickenstimulate

4. Reduce momentum or velocityC1formal

   To lessen the speed or force of movement.

   amortir

   • The sandbags deadened the impact of the crash.
   • The brakes deadened the car's momentum gradually.
   • The cushion deadened the fall of the heavy box.

   Synonymesbluntbrakecheckcurbcushiondampendecelerateretardslowsoften

   Antonymesacceleratehastenquickenspeed

5. Become lifeless or less activeC2formal

   To lose life, force, or vigor; to become less lively or intense.

   S'éteindre, perdre son énergie

   • His interest in the project deadened over time.
   • The party deadened after midnight when most guests left.
   • Her enthusiasm deadened as the challenges grew.

   Synonymesabatediminishdullfadeflaglanguishwaneweaken

   Antonymesanimateenliveninvigoratequickenrevivestimulate

6. Impair vigor or sensationC1formalmedical

   To make something less lively, intense, or vigorous; to weaken force, activity, or sensation.

   Amortir, engourdir

   • The cold weather deadened his fingers, making them numb.
   • The medication deadened the pain in his knee.
   • The long illness deadened her physical strength.

   Synonymesalleviateassuagebenumbbluntdampendiminishdullenervatemitigatemutenumbparalyzereducesapstiflestupefyweaken

   Antonymesanimatearouseawakenenlivenexciteintensifyinvigoratequickensharpenstimulatestrengthen

7. Convert metallic mercury to powderC2formalscientific

   To transform metallic mercury into a grey powder of minute globules by shaking with chalk or fatty oil.

   désactiver le mercure

   • The chemist deadened the mercury by shaking it with chalk.
   • In the old process, they deadened mercury to create a powder for medicinal use.
   • The technique to deaden mercury was used in traditional alchemy.

   Synonymesextinguishkill