1
as in numbed
lacking in sensation or feeling
I've been sitting in the same position for too long and now my feet are numb
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2
as in blank
not expressing any emotion
apparently in shock, he answered the police officer's questions with a numb expression on his face
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3
as in stoic
not feeling or showing emotion
years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn
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as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of numb
Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Bentley and cinematographer Adolpho Veloso also plunge audiences into the tactile particulars and handcraft of logging, Robert sawing away with numb determination while he’s forced once again to be far away from his wife and child.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Nicolas Rapold, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Still numbed by what just took place less than one hour before, Beth sat alone in a chair in the front yard when a woman, stranger to everyone, walked up to her and placed a wad of $20 bills in her palm, then without a word moved on.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for numb 
Adjective
In an age when far too many cars have essentially numb steering, the GT3 is something of a revelation.
—Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2025
Bentley and cinematographer Adolpho Veloso also plunge audiences into the tactile particulars and handcraft of logging, Robert sawing away with numb determination while he’s forced once again to be far away from his wife and child.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
In contrast to the numbing effects of news reports, Kelly and Keane choose a human-scale approach to show life in the impoverished neighborhoods of Sabra and Shatila.
—Nicolas Rapold, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Still numbed by what just took place less than one hour before, Beth sat alone in a chair in the front yard when a woman, stranger to everyone, walked up to her and placed a wad of $20 bills in her palm, then without a word moved on.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
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Floria is a portrait of unflappable repression, the sort of level of stress that numbs the muscles in the face to be nothing other than blank.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
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Because of that match with Liverpool at Wembley, Newcastle’s fixture at Crystal Palace in Gameweek 29 is currently a blank and the fixture has been removed from the official Fantasy Premier League website.—
Abdul Rehman,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, the final seasons were somewhat patchy, but the first two are almost flawless, spearheaded by a stoic Claire Foy alongside Matt Smith’s mercurial Prince Philip and Vanessa Kirby’s devastatingly glamorous Princess Margaret.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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While Stephens is stuffy and stoic, Adam is outgoing but has a sordid past.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Unlike opioid medications, which dull the sensation of pain in the brain, suzetrigine works by preventing pain-signaling nerves around the body from firing in the first place.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
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She was floated as a possible running mate for Trump before a controversial anecdote from her memoir appeared to dull her chances.—
Julia Mueller,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jeong was asleep with his three children at the time of the fire.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
13 Feb. 2025
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In the image shared on Instagram, taken by mom Sofia, the little royal appears to be asleep on her side under a blanket while wearing a white and pink outfit.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Shoppers have taken to social media to document the egg crisis, sharing photos and videos of empty shelves, limit notices and other shoppers mass purchasing eggs.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Jayhawks have a longstanding consecutive sellout streak (more than 360 games), but there have been empty seats at various games.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Designed for moments of escape and calm, this walled section is especially attractive for those with sensory challenges.—
Frances MacDougall,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
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If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, the department says to stay calm but act quickly.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump, who took office on January 20, campaigned heavily on the economy, vowing to reduce inflation and impose tariffs on some of the country's closest trading partners like Mexico and Canada, citing concerns over drugs, immigration, and trade deficits.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
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Introduced late in the first decade of the 2000s, the program was revived in 2022 as part of a series of insurance reforms that aimed to reduce litigation — and insurance company failures.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That apathetic dynamic only became more pronounced in the days to come.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
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White leveraged that fame, fortuitously concentrated among a large swath of young, politically apathetic males, to support Donald Trump’s 2024 election triumph.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near numb
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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