dull 1 of 2

1
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
6
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7
8

dull

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dull differ from other similar words?

The words blunt and obtuse are common synonyms of dull. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain
a dull mind

When can blunt be used instead of dull?

Although the words blunt and dull have much in common, blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

When is it sensible to use obtuse instead of dull?

The meanings of obtuse and dull largely overlap; however, obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dull
Adjective
Images may appear dull if the color rating is lower than the pure white rating. K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 Dec. 2024 How to Get Wine Out of Carpet Candle Wax Let the candle wax cool and become solid, then scrape off the wax using a plastic scraper or a dull knife. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
The sharpness required to thrive in Formula 1 might be dulled, and Pourchaire’s ability to immediately step into Formula 1 might not bring in the results as immediately as wanted. Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 And the endless regroups have dulled some of the excitement. The Athletic Nhl Staff, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dull 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
  • He had been clubbed in the head and the face with a blunt object.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024
  • With slight moderations—longer, blunt bangs and full updo—hairstylist Naphia White used a similar technique.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But to play to that dichotomy is a tightrope walk: lean too far one way and Indy becomes boring, either as too normal or a superhero.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The idea was clear enough, and conceptual artists have been struggling ever since to make works that are not as boring as this one.
    Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • By the time authorities started asking questions days later, memories of partygoers were hazy.
    Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
  • For instance, sky-gazers should avoid beaches where the skies tend to be hazy and instead find a mountaintop.
    Gina Park, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The texture is airy and buttery, while the finish is natural without being completely matte.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2024
  • This specific limited edition is crafted from shiny and matte burgundy porosus crocodile (estimate: $33,400-$40,100).
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s a good bit of history in the faded paint: The late D’Alessandros — Old Tommy and Young Tommy, both Baltimore mayors, and the father and brother, respectively, of Pelosi — appear.
    Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 24 Nov. 2024
  • In between the customers, vendors were constantly on the move, expertly moving buckets of flowers from nearby coolers onto the floor or stripping faded petals and leaves from new bunches of flowers.
    Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For the people stupid enough to have trusted a midwit career bureaucrat as unscrupulous as President Joe Biden, there’s a sixth stage just before acceptance: delusion.
    Becket Adams, National Review, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Wild Card with Rachel Martin Issa Rae on the belief that gets her through 'stupid mistakes and bad decisions' Lithgow: More.
    Rachel Martin, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This expands their volume, destroying cells and making their texture soft.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Ripe pomegranates become soft and less resistant to cracking, so look for less firm fruits.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The trio is tasked with completing magical tasks in order to earn a place back in their sleepy Massachusetts town.
    Annabel Gutterman, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
  • And that has a lot to do with nourishing your soul and staying in a place of curiosity and not sleepy.
    Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near dull

Cite this Entry

“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dull

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!