3dead adverb 1 : in an absolute manner or condition <~ right>

2 : in a sudden and complete manner

3 : in a direct manner : DIRECTLY <~ ahead>

Synonyms

altogether, completely, entirely, fast, flat, full, fully, perfectly, quite, thoroughly, well, wholly—more at FULLY

dead·beat noun : a person who persistently fails to pay personal debts or expenses

dead duck noun : GONER

dead·en verb 1 : to impair in vigor or sensation : BLUNT <~ pain>

2 : to lessen the luster or spirit of

3 : to make (as a wall) soundproof

Synonyms

blunt, dampen, dull, numb—more at DULL

dead end noun 1 : an end (as of a street) without an exit

2 : a position, situation, or course of action that leads to nothing further

— dead–end adjective

dead heat noun : a contest in which two or more contestants tie (as by crossing the finish line simultaneously)

Synonyms

draw, stalemate, standoff, tie—more at TIE

dead horse noun : an exhausted topic or issue

dead letter noun 1 : something that has lost its force or authority without being formally abolished

2 : a letter that cannot be delivered or returned

dead·line noun : a date or time before which something must be done

dead·lock noun 1 : a stoppage of action because neither faction in a struggle will give in

2 : a tie score

— deadlock verb

Synonyms

halt, impasse, stalemate, standstill—more at IMPASSE

1deadly adjective dead·li·er; -est 1 : likely to cause or capable of causing death

2 : HOSTILE, IMPLACABLE

3 : very accurate : UNERRING

4 : tending to deprive of force or vitality

5 : suggestive of death

6 : very great : EXTREME

— dead·li·ness noun

Synonyms

baleful, deathly, fatal, fell, lethal, mortal, murderous, pestilent, vital; also baneful, destructive, harmful, noxious, pernicious; poisonous, toxic, virulent; dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, menacing, parlous, perilous, risky, serious, threatening, ugly, unhealthy, unsound; capital; bloody, internecine, sanguinary, sanguine

Antonyms

healthful, healthy, nonfatal, nonlethal, wholesome

2deadly adverb 1 : suggesting death <~ pale>

2 : to a high degree : EXTREMELY <~ dull>

deadly sin noun : one of seven sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth held to be fatal to spiritual progress

dead meat noun : one that is doomed

1deadpan adjective : marked by an impassive manner or expression

— deadpan verb

— deadpan adverb

Synonyms

blank, expressionless, impassive, inexpressive, stolid, vacant—more at BLANK

2deadpan noun : a completely expressionless face

dead reckoning noun : the determination of the position of a ship or aircraft solely from the record of the direction and distance of its course

dead·weight noun 1 : the unrelieved weight of an inert mass

2 : a ship's load including the weight of cargo, fuel, crew, and passengers

dead·wood noun 1 : wood dead on the tree

2 : useless personnel or material

Synonyms

chaff, dust, garbage, junk, litter, refuse, riffraff, rubbish, scrap, trash, waste—more at GARBAGE

deaf adjective 1 : unable to hear

2 : unwilling to hear or listen <~ to all suggestions>

— deaf·ness noun

deaf·en verb : to make deaf

deaf·en·ing adjective : very loud

Synonyms

booming, clamorous, earsplitting, loud, piercing, resounding, ringing, roaring, sonorous, stentorian, thunderous—more at LOUD

deaf–mute noun, often offensive : a deaf person who has never learned to speak

1deal noun 1 : a usu. large or indefinite quantity or degree

2 : the act or right of distributing cards to players in a card game; also : HAND

2deal verb dealt ; deal·ing 1 a : to give as one's portion : DISTRIBUTE

b : to distribute playing cards to players in a game

2 : ADMINISTER, DELIVER

3 : to concern itself : TREAT

4 : to take action in regard to something <~ with offenders>

5 a : TRADE

b : to sell or distribute something as a business <~ in used cars>

6 : to