deafen

American  

[def-uhn] / ˈdɛf ən /

verb (used with object)

1. to make deaf.

   The accident deafened him for life.

2. to stun or overwhelm with noise.

   The pounding of the machines deafened us.

3. deaden.

4. Obsolete. to render (a sound) inaudible, especially by a louder sound.

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deafen British  

/ ˈdɛfən /

verb

1. (tr) to make deaf, esp momentarily, as by a loud noise

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Other Word Forms

• deafeningly adverb
• half-deafened adjective
• nondeafened adjective

Etymology

Origin of deafen

First recorded in 1590–1600; deaf + -en ¹

Example Sentences

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

What stays with me from that afternoon is the deafening noise that seemed to fill every corner of Pasadena before morphing into arguably the loudest Eight Clap in Bruins history.

From Los Angeles Times

The crickets and cicadas make a ceaseless, deafening buzz, coyotes cry mournfully in the distance, songbirds cheep and squawk at the first hint of dawn.

From Literature