deafening

[def-uh-ning]

adjective

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

   the crowd’s deafening roar;

   the deafening sound of a chainsaw.

noun

1. deadening.

deafening

/ ˈdɛfənɪŋ /

adjective

1. excessively loud

   deafening music

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deafening¹

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

Example Sentences

And the cacophony inside also started hours before the start and, when the action began, every Liverpool touch was greeted with deafening, piercing whistles.

From BBC

“It was a deafening silence,” Cocker says of its reception.

From Los Angeles Times

On the football field, the deafening roar of the crowd and the buzz of adrenaline unify into one continuous hum, a voice in the back of a player’s head encouraging bloodlust and brutality.

From Salon

When Rashford was substituted after 82 minutes he was given a deafening standing ovation from the visiting supporters.

From BBC

Boos were deafening at times and "sacked in the morning" was sung by some home supporters.

From BBC

Related Words

• blaring www.thesaurus.com
• noisy 
• ringing www.thesaurus.com
• roaring 
• rowdy 
• thunderous 
• vociferous