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

“When these podcasters walk on stage … it’s deafening. I have to put my hands over my ears. And I’ve done that many times.”

From Los Angeles Times

The winning runs came off the thigh pad of Harry Brook, drawing a deafening roar from the corner of England supporters at the end of a breathtaking day.

From BBC

The book’s most edifying compilations recount the Soviet people’s unconquerable yearning to live, create and love freely, despite the daily menaces of a police state and deafening propaganda.

From The Wall Street Journal

But, it's also about arresting a run of two straight defeats for new Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy with the deafening din of fan unrest bellowing towards the club's board.

From BBC

When one performer delivered a few lines in a deafening shout, she said, “Remember ... if you are screaming, pull that mike away.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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