amortecer

Senses

1. 1.

   to cushion, to absorb, to dampen

   to reduce the impact or intensity of a shock, blow, or force

2. 2.

   to muffle, to deaden, to soften

   to reduce the intensity of a sound, light, or other sensation

3. 3.

   to amortize, to pay off gradually

   to reduce a debt or cost over time through regular payments

Examples

• "As molas do carro amortecem os impactos da estrada."

  The car's springs cushion the impacts from the road.

• "A cortina grossa amortece o som da rua."

  The thick curtain muffles the sound from the street.

• "Vamos amortecer o investimento em dois anos."

  We're going to amortize the investment over two years.

Usage

Common in both technical contexts (engineering, finance) and everyday speech. Often used with objects like "impacto," "choque," "som," and "luz." The financial sense (amortize) is more formal and appears in business contexts.