deaden Play verbMake (a noise or sensation) less strong or intense. SYNONYMS abateabsorballeviateassuageblanketbluntbuffercushiondampdamp downdecreasediminishdulleaseget rid ofhushlessenmitigatemoderatemufflemutenumbpalliatequietquietenreducerelievesilencesmothersoftensoothestiflesubduesuppresstake the edge offtone downweaken