What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deadened
Example
The medication deadened the pain in my leg. [deadened: verb]
Example
The sound of the traffic was deadened by the thick walls of the building. [deadened: adjective]
numb
Example
My fingers were numb from the cold. [numb: adjective]
Example
I felt numb after hearing the news of her passing. [numb: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Numb is more commonly used than deadened in everyday language. Numb is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deadened is less common and often used in specific contexts related to sensory or emotional experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deadened and numb?
Both deadened and numb can be used in formal and informal contexts, but deadened may be more formal due to its technical or medical connotations.
