1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else
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3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach
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4
as in dulled
lacking a surface luster or gloss
a good polish should restore that car's dull finish
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5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time
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6
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues
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7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
a dull roar from the distance
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8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season
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1
as in to blunt
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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2
as in to bleach
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dull
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
The Swallows were a pretty dull group of four siblings—Susan was always doing the cooking and discussing the best way to scramble egg, while bossy John was some kind of Tory MP in the making.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Glycolic acid removes dead, dulling surface cells to reveal more radiant skin and help vitamin C penetrate skin more effectively.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
Over time, faucet heads can collect mineral deposits, soap scum, and even bacteria, all of which can slow water flow or give your sink a dull, crusty appearance.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
The Swallows were a pretty dull group of four siblings—Susan was always doing the cooking and discussing the best way to scramble egg, while bossy John was some kind of Tory MP in the making.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Verb
The sparkle of the moment is somewhat dulled, though, when Mark turns to Margo and claims to have never called CPS on her.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Glycolic acid removes dead, dulling surface cells to reveal more radiant skin and help vitamin C penetrate skin more effectively.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
The other man died from what a police official described as blunt force injuries.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Greta Lee is officially back on team bangs, debuting a blunt new fringe on Thursday at the UK premiere of Toy Story 5 in London.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
If your summer wardrobe is feeling a bit boring or outdated, don’t fret — Amazon just added tons of new styles to its sale section, and my top picks are all going for $10 or less.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Finally, the institution must be financially boring.—
Christos Korgan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
But whereas that world could be characterized, at times, by macho one-upmanship that felt almost bloodthirsty, Esperantists like Jurobola were committed to a hazy vision of peace.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
The company’s flagship hazy IPA, Chug, recently won gold at the 2026 World Beer Cup, often described as the ‘Olympics of Beer,’ strengthening Mash Gang’s reputation for taste and quality at a time when many consumers still associate non-alcoholic beer with inferior flavor.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
That look-to-local approach can be seen here too, in the faded Turkish rugs on the floors and splashes of modern Turkish design—in particular, bright ikat cushions and throws—in the otherwise simple bedrooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Prune Lightly to Maintain Shape Once the flowers become unattractive, clean up the plant's overall shape by selectively pruning branches and the faded blooms.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Nate Bargatze is not a dumb guy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
And what is dumber than a fart?—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Early on in his first five, six starts, there were a lot of balls in play, obviously some soft contact, balls at guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
This mini dress is made from lightweight fabric that feels soft against the skin and has a breezy silhouette that keeps it from clinging.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Spanning 160 miles from east to west, our advice is to make this a multi-stay getaway—perhaps starting in ever-popular Chania or Heraklion before road tripping to quiet coastal enclaves, sleepy historic villages, and expansive mountain valleys.—
Katie Silcox,
Vogue,
28 May 2026
-
After experiencing sinister, otherworldly events in the not-so-sleepy retirement community, Sam teams up with his neighbors Art (Clarke Peters), Judy (Alfre Woodard), Renee (Geena Davis), Wally (Denis O'Hare) and Paz (Carlos Miranda).—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Spirulina helps eliminate heavy metal build-up in the body, for instance; ginger and cumin reduce bloating; lecithin and gingko can improve memory.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Statistically, the drug reduced the risk of death by 60% compared with chemotherapy.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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