deadening

• Qui provoque une perte de sensibilité, de vitalité ou de réaction émotionnelle ; qui engourdit, atténue ou étouffe.

Describes something that causes a loss of sensation, vitality, or emotional response; numbing or dulling.

1. Boring or tediousC1formal

   So lacking in interest or excitement that it causes mental weariness or dullness.

   ennuyeux à l'excès

   • The lecture was a deadening experience, putting half the audience to sleep.
   • He found the repetitive office work deadening to his spirit.
   • The deadening routine of daily chores made her feel uninspired.

   Synonymesboringdrearydullhumdrummonotonoustedioustiresomeuninterestingwearisome

   Antonymescaptivatingengagingentertainingexcitingfascinatinginterestinglivelystimulatingthrillingvivid

• Nom désignant l'action de rendre quelque chose vain, inutile ou moins efficace, souvent par la routine ou la répétition, ou encore le fait d'atténuer, de réduire une sensation ou une intensité.

A noun referring to the act of making something futile, useless, or less effective, often through routine or repetition.

indénombrable

1. Routine dullingC1formal

   The act of making something futile, useless, or less lively, often through repetitive or monotonous actions.

   émoussement

   • The deadening of creativity in the office was caused by endless paperwork.
   • He felt the deadening of his enthusiasm after years of the same routine.
   • The deadening of the senses can occur from too much screen time.

   Synonymesdesensitizationenervationnumbingstultification

   Antonymesanimationexcitationinvigorationstimulation

• 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