1
as in speechless
unable to speak
the child is both deaf and mute because her hearing was lost at birth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
remained mute no matter how much we pleaded for an answer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in quieter
a device on a musical instrument that deadens or softens its tone
I was practicing my trumpet at three in the morning when the mute fell out, and I managed to wake everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to muffle
to deaden the sound of
closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of mute
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
That's the horrid reality for deaf and mute author Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), who retreats to a cabin in the woods to write her next book — only to become the target of a sadistic, taunting serial killer.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2021
Lenin, too, suffered from manic rage and erratic behavior, and died in his early fifties confined to a wheelchair after multiple strokes left him mute and paralyzed.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2016
Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
But this time, the response in Washington has been muted.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mute 
Adjective
The story follows Americans Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis), who after befriending a British couple with a mute son, accept an unusual invitation to bring their daughter for a weekend at an idyllic country estate.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
That's the horrid reality for deaf and mute author Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), who retreats to a cabin in the woods to write her next book — only to become the target of a sadistic, taunting serial killer.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
Idealizing the beauty of the bucolic landscape often minimizes the labor tied to it, and so Yu disrupts any sense of the natural world as mute and pleasant.
—Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2021
Lenin, too, suffered from manic rage and erratic behavior, and died in his early fifties confined to a wheelchair after multiple strokes left him mute and paralyzed.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2016
Verb
Yet the reaction on Wall Street was relatively muted when compared to the huge rally in Tesla’s share price in recent months, The Times’s Jack Ewing writes for DealBook.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
But this time, the response in Washington has been muted.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mute
Adjective
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In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
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Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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In many organizations, there is a silent understanding that more hours equate to high performance.—
Lieke ten Brummelhuis,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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The General Year: 1926 Runtime: 1h 15m Directors: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton Truly classic comedies can be hard to find on streaming services, so take this chance to watch an all-timer, one of the best silent movies ever made.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Attempts to question Fernández de Kirchner’s authority are silenced brutally – just ask ex president Alberto Fernández, or Axel Kicillof.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Kennedy’s allies and a dedicated PAC, American Values 2024, have framed opposition to his selection as having been orchestrated by pharmaceutical companies to silence him and impede his efforts to make America healthy.—
Brandy Zadrozny,
NBC News,
9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, while the snow sometimes muffles the thunder, the lightning can more easily be seen.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
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His low desk was shoved into the corner furthest from the windows, as if Gussow had wanted to muffle the city’s distractions.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Credit them with winning 10 games although losing three of their last four and blowing a chance to win the ACC championship and get into the playoff put a huge damper on the season.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
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While almost all the apartments sold for less than $1 million are co-ops (as condos cost more), the problems buyers perceive with that form of ownership remain a damper on their prices.—
Frederick Peters,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Back then, Mason was the kind of person who got excited about camera placement on a mountain to capture just the right shot as a downhill ski racer shushed past.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Nov. 2024
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Other players use this tactic too, including Djokovic’s friend Nick Kyrgios (on many occasions), Sebastian Korda at this year’s Italian Open in Rome, and Taylor Fritz, who shushed an entire stadium after beating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech at Roland Garros in 2023.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
13 July 2024
Verb
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In one version, the parents of the child do not do anything to try to quiet their child down; in the other version, the parents try their hardest to keep the child quiet.—
Christian B. Miller,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2025
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The win-or-else stakes on Sunday should quiet any personal animosity, in theory.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In order to save time, space, or money, audio companies will often take the design of a larger, more expensive device and dumb it down slightly to make a product that's more accessible, and probably better for most of us.—
Parker Hall,
WIRED,
6 May 2021
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To dumb it down, think about how action figures of the past had limited points of articulation.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
11 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near mute
Cite this Entry
“Mute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mute. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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