drowned out

USAGE SUMMARY

"drowned out" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means that one sound is so loud that it covers or suppresses any other sounds. For example, "The sound of the rain was drowned out by the thunder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Drowned out where?" I says.

The New Yorker

were drowned out by howls.

The New York Times - Sports

He was then drowned out by boos.

The New York Times

Count on climate change being drowned out".

The New Yorker

Bernie!" drowned out by "Hillary!

The Guardian

Their cacophony has drowned out rational discourse.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

and really, one voice drowning out millions?

University of California, Berkeley

The birdsong threatens to drown out conversation.

Yale University

"It is designed to drown out fear".

The Guardian - Music

Mexican shrills will drown out Liverpudlian bravado.

The Guardian - Sport

"It drowns out all the noise around.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drowned out" to vividly describe how one sound or element completely obscures another, creating a strong sense of auditory or figurative dominance. For example, "The music's intensity drowned out all other sounds in the venue."

Common error

Avoid using "drowned out" solely in literal contexts. While it describes auditory experiences well, it can also effectively convey how one idea or feeling is overwhelmed by another. For example, "The excitement of the victory drowned out any lingering doubts."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drowned out" functions primarily to describe how a sound or signal is overwhelmed and rendered inaudible or unnoticeable by another, stronger presence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show this in contexts ranging from literal sound to figurative senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drowned out" is a versatile phrasal verb effectively used to describe situations where one element is overwhelmed by another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent application in news and media, as well as academic writing. While its primary function involves sound, it extends figuratively to denote how ideas or emotions can overshadow others. For impactful writing, employ "drowned out" to vividly convey the dominance of one element and consider related phrases such as "muffled" or "overshadowed" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

silenced

Implies a complete lack of sound, often through force or authority.

suppressed

Suggests a deliberate act of preventing something from being heard or seen.

overshadowed

Implies that something is made less important or noticeable.

muted

Similar to muffled, but suggesting a more intentional reduction in sound.

muffled

Implies a reduction in clarity or audibility, but not necessarily complete suppression.

covered up

Similar to suppressed but more suggestive of concealment.

smothered

Implies a suffocating effect, preventing something from being expressed or heard.

overwhelmed

Suggests a more general sense of being overpowered, not specific to sound.

blanketed

Suggests a covering over, similar to smothering, but can apply to visual as well as auditory contexts.

dampened

Suggests a lessening of intensity or impact, without complete elimination.

FAQs

How can I use "drowned out" in a sentence?

Use "drowned out" to describe a situation where one sound or sensation is completely overwhelmed by another. For example, "The cheers of the crowd drowned out the speaker's voice."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "drowned out"?

Alternatives include "muffled", "overshadowed", or "silenced", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "drowned out" grammatically correct?

Yes, "drowned out" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb, typically used in the past tense or as a past participle.

What is the difference between "drowned out" and "muffled"?

"Drowned out" implies complete overpowering of a sound, while "muffled" suggests a reduction in clarity or audibility but not necessarily complete suppression.