" deaden "

1: to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality;

  * e.g., " ... an excess of detail deadens much of the mystery novel's suspense "

•  Synonyms : 

•  castrate,

•  damp,

•  dampen,

•  dehydrate,

•  desiccate,

•  devitalize,

•  enervate,

•  geld,

•  lobotomize,

•  petrify

•  Antonyms : 

•  brace,

•  energize,

•  enliven,

•  invigorate,

•  quicken,

•  stimulate,

•  vitalize,

•  vivify

2: to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling;

  * e.g., " ... a couple of aspirins deadened the headache "

•  Synonyms : 

•  benumb,

•  blunt,

•  cauterize,

•  damp,

•  dampen,

•  dull,

•  numb

•  Antonyms : 

•  sharpen,

•  whet