" deadening "

1: as in numbing, anodyne;

•  Synonyms : 

•  analgesic,

•  anesthetic,

•  anodyne,

•  depressant,

•  numbing,

•  hypnotic,

•  opiate,

•  antianxiety,

•  antidepressant,

•  antidepression,

•  antistress,

•  calming,

•  comforting,

•  dreamy,

•  lulling,

•  narcotic,

•  pacifying,

•  quieting,

•  relaxing,

•  sedative,

•  soothing,

•  tranquilizing

•  Antonyms : 

•  painful,

•  stressful,

•  tiresome,

•  troubling,

•  trying,

•  unsettling,

•  worrisome,

•  energizing,

•  invigorating,

•  stimulant,

•  stimulating,

•  aggravating,

•  annoying,

•  bothersome,

•  disturbing,

•  exasperating,

•  frustrating,

•  galling,

•  grating,

•  harassing,

•  irksome,

•  irritating,

•  maddening,

•  nettlesome,

•  troublesome,

•  vexatious,

•  vexing

1: to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality;

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

•  Synonyms : 

•  castrating,

•  dampening,

•  damping,

•  dehydrating,

•  desiccating,

•  devitalizing,

•  enervating,

•  gelding,

•  lobotomizing,

•  petrifying

•  Antonyms : 

•  bracing,

•  energizing,

•  enlivening,

•  invigorating,

•  quickening,

•  stimulating,

•  vitalizing,

•  vivifying

2: to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling;

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

•  Synonyms : 

•  benumbing,

•  blunting,

•  cauterizing,

•  dampening,

•  damping,

•  dulling,

•  numbing

•  Antonyms : 

•  sharpening,

•  whetting

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