deafen vs dampen

deafen and dampen both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
deafen	No	No	Yes	No
dampen	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, dampen is a hypernym of deafen; that is, dampen is a word with a broader meaning than deafen:

Other hypernyms of deafen include break, damp, soften, weaken.

deafen (verb)	dampen (verb)
make soundproof	lessen in force or effect
make or render deaf	make moist
be unbearably loud	check; keep in check (a fire)
	make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible
	reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves)
	suppress or constrain so as to lessen in intensity
	deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping