deafening

American  

[def-uh-ning] / ˈdɛf ə nɪŋ /

adjective

1. overwhelmingly loud; booming; earsplitting: the deafening sound of a chainsaw.

   the crowd’s deafening roar;

   the deafening sound of a chainsaw.

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noun

1. deadening.

deafening British  

/ ˈdɛfənɪŋ /

adjective

1. excessively loud

   deafening music

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Other Word Forms

• deafeningly adverb
• half-deafening adjective
• nondeafening adjective
• nondeafeningly adverb
• quasi-deafening adjective

Etymology

Origin of deafening

First recorded in 1590–1600; deafen + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The 24-hour operation runs at a constant roar as machines grind rock at deafening volumes, its tunnels stretching for hundreds of kilometres beneath Poland's surface.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Despite Evy’s mother growing less responsive each day, the house’s quiet feels deafening — the distinctly hollow sound of silence filling the place where life should be.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

For a recurring exhibition that is often chided for its deafening, in-your-face messaging, this edition of the show is all but silent; for a show that’s known—almost famous—for generating controversy, this outing is entirely anodyne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Inside the Principality, the noise was deafening, The head thudded, the ears split.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

The smell of diesel was thick in the air and the roar of the engines was deafening.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Related Words

• blaring
• noisy
• ringing
• roaring
• rowdy
• thunderous
• vociferous