deaf
- adjective
- /dɛf/
- Now the UNIA did eventually petition the League of Nations calling for Southwest African self rule, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
- turn a deaf ear
- fall on deaf ears
- turn a deaf ear
And once again, his warnings are falling on deaf ears and being completely ignored.
- And once again, his warnings are falling on deaf ears and being completely ignored.
- You can become deaf to the people around you that are actually helping you make it happen.
- Now the UNIA did eventually petition the League of Nations calling for Southwest African self rule, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
- And I began to talk about that, which I'd say back then, the whole consumer thing fell on deaf ears.
- And I keep saying, and it's basically to deaf ears and it will fall on deaf ears, ears here as well.
Examples
-
Rosenzweig proposed that Judaism faces inward, deaf to the flow of history.
Academic text (2015) -
In each case, we turn a deaf ear to the fact that the images are speaking up.
Academic text (1998) -
You can become deaf to the people around you that are actually helping you make it happen.
-
Other times, you just knew that even if you said anything about it, it would be, you know, it would be deaf ears, right?
-
How can one consider a life that is deaf to this fundamental commitment to be moral?
Academic text (1993) -
And once again, his warnings are falling on deaf ears and being completely ignored.
-
Public pressure was necessary as PRI officials turned a deaf ear to requests for change.
Academic text (1999) -
What we need is a venture capitalist to invest, but so far efforts have fallen on deaf ears.
-
The manager's suggestion fell on deaf ears since the team was committed to their own ideas.
-
Despite her passionate speech, the community leaders seemed deaf to her concerns about the new policy.
Synonyms
Not noticing facts or reason because of strong feelings
Not reacting to touch, sound, or commands
Not aware of other people's feelings or reactions
Not reacting to a question or an action
Not willing to listen to or accept new ideas
Does not show feelings or respond when someone tries to upset them
Completely unable to hear or accept advice
Not paying attention to what is happening or being said
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
- Archaic
A small electronic device worn in or behind the ear that makes sounds louder for people who cannot hear well
How Receptive
Surface Forms
Etymology
Deaf originally meant 'not able to hear', and people then used it as a picture for someone who will not listen. So when someone is deaf to advice or warnings, it means they do not pay attention or accept them.