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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stoic
not feeling or showing emotion
years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 numb
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The passengers, including me, sat stoically in the dark, tired and numb.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
One key tactic the Germans learned from Americans was that American sports reporting and sensationalizing was meant to show bravado, while the Nazi variant was deliberately used to numb and mislead.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Wayans also experienced foot pain, numb toes, delirium and blurry vision.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
The passengers, including me, sat stoically in the dark, tired and numb.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
On the spicy side, there were plenty of fragrant, tingly, numbing málà peppers.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2026
One key tactic the Germans learned from Americans was that American sports reporting and sensationalizing was meant to show bravado, while the Nazi variant was deliberately used to numb and mislead.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Paper was scarce during the war, so the boy would roust himself out of bed early and intercept the delivery of newspapers and magazines, going at their blank margins with his pencil, drawing figures, cartoons, landscapes, whatever struck his fancy.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
-
The other was the first issue of another Transformers comic that originally had a blank cover.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
His determination and stoic unflappability were always the difference.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2026
-
Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Fabric softener leaves a residue on elastane fibers that can dull the finish and attract bacteria, which causes excessive odor.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
Check for Lawn Debris Before mowing, walk the area and check for objects that could dull your mower if the blade picks them up.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and the children were found safe and asleep in their room.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Trump has been accused of falling asleep at Cabinet and Oval Office meetings, though has denied several incidents.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist, and Logan Stankoven scored a goal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
If Congress doesn't act and allows the trust fund to empty, the program will only pay out what the government collects in taxes.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Here, the threat may arrive with a badge, a laptop bag and a calm voice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Your 4th House of Home warms as Venus, planet of values, shifts in, encouraging careful upgrades that make daily life feel calm and genuinely cozy.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The coronavirus vaccine reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to covid-19 — strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalization from heart disease — by about 40 percent, according to a new study.—
Daniel Wu,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
-
Fox would take on $8 million in debt to pay for the Roku acquisition, and the companies expect to reduce combined expenses by $400 million.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
