
Deafen
Literal Meaning
Used to describe actual hearing loss, often due to extreme noise exposure.

Firefighters' sirens can deafen you without proper ear protection.
Permanent Effect
Implies that the hearing loss might be irreversible.

Regularly using power tools without earmuffs can deafen over time.
Serious Tone
Often used in solemn or serious contexts due to its association with disability.

The veterans were deafened in the line of duty.
Compare with
DeadenHushMuffleMuteSilenceStifleStillSuppress
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