as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a succession of personal tragedies had benumbed him to all grief
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Recent Examples of benumb
Because both actors look like lumpish proletarian versions of Ingmar Bergman stars — Alma Pöysti, radiant yet benumbed, plays Ansa like a dish-towel Bibi Andersson, and Jussi Vatanen could be the schlump brother of Max von Sydow (with a dollop of Ryan Gosling).
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Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 May 2023
What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment.
—Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2019
But her core insight into how even mediocrities can be institutionally benumbed and conscripted into heinous projects remains fertile.
—George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 May 2023
What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment.
—Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2019
But her core insight into how even mediocrities can be institutionally benumbed and conscripted into heinous projects remains fertile.
—George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benumb
Verb
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Tailor For Expense Reduction Messaging When crafting your capabilities statement, customize it to showcase how your business can help agencies reduce costs: • Use metrics to quantify savings from previous contracts.Col. Rafael Marrero, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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And the disaster has exposed holes in the region's preparations to reduce the chances of fires getting so unmanageable and to keep communities safer.Lauren Sommer, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, the roller heads dulled after weekly reuse, impacting effectiveness — making regular replacements essential, though potentially costly.Jennifer Ford, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
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Prolonged exposure leads to hypothermia, slowing bodily functions, impairing movement, and dulling the senses—essentially making survival a race against time.Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Biden administration's focus on natural gas and nuclear power in final rules for the hydrogen tax credit could blunt industry opposition as the incoming Trump administration targets IRA credits.Daniel Moore, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025
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Such form is blunting his side’s hopes of qualifying for Europe for the second time in three years, having finished sixth under former head coach Roberto De Zerbi in 2022-23.Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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All that Kaspar knows for certain is that Birgit turned to alcohol and pills to numb her many pains.Randy Boyagoda, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
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Not very long after that, his assistant came by and numbed my daughter’s finger with novocaine.John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Austria will likely not face fines in the manner of Hungary, but security cooperation will diminish.Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Maryland faltered for the first time, a loss that dims but shouldn’t diminish its impressive start as its ceiling comes clearer into focus.Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Elon Musk, one of Trump’s confidants, has already met with Iran’s UN ambassador; now that Israel has weakened Tehran and pummeled its proxies in the Middle East, a diplomatic breakthrough may be achievable.Charles A. Kupchan, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
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The widening yield differentials between Chinese and U.S. sovereign bonds could risk encouraging capital outflows and put further pressure on the yuan that has been weakening against the greenback.Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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America’s morning television brightens the day but deadens the soul.Joel Golby, airmail.news, 5 Oct. 2024
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One way of deadening the mind to distractions is by blowing opponents off the court.Tim Ellis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Though the storm largely subsided by Tuesday morning, another weather system forecast is expected to spread a wintry mess from Texas to the East Coast later this week, which means people likely won't be able to put down the shovels anytime soon.Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
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Seek help from a healthcare provider if your baby exhibits any signs of an allergic reaction that don’t subside on their own with time.Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near benumb
Cite this Entry
“Benumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benumb. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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