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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
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 numb
Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Often World Cup-level race boots, which tend to be stiffer and less insulated, make my feet numb and my toes freeze.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
After numbing, the procedure takes between 15 to 25 minutes and feels mildly prickly but shouldn’t be too painful.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for numb 
Adjective
The only downside is that its steering feels a little numb.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Often World Cup-level race boots, which tend to be stiffer and less insulated, make my feet numb and my toes freeze.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
The cardiologist begins the procedure by cleaning the skin on your neck or groin and numbing the area with an anesthetic.
—Carisa Brewster, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
After numbing, the procedure takes between 15 to 25 minutes and feels mildly prickly but shouldn’t be too painful.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
Seconds later, the clown pulled out a gun and shot Warren in the mouth at point blank range.KC Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Six world-class interior designers were given a blank canvas to create their interiors, and the results are strikingly different, from Luca Dini’s waterfall through the superyacht’s two-level beach club to the large picture windows on the interior salon by Francois Zuretti.Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Case Study: David, a senior executive known for his stoic demeanor, struggles to retain young talent and foster innovation in his department.Patricia Kennedy, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
-
As a fellow Capricorn, Trainor embodies her sign’s stoic yet witty side with this epic costume, channeling this Earth sign’s wisdom and desire for authority.Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Aging can dull our ability to navigate using spatial memory, the form of memory responsible for recording and recovering the information needed to remember the location of objects in our environment.New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Clearly, the sands of time have not dulled his feelings.Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
According to the scholar Maria Tatar, these were folktales shared among adults after hours, while the children were asleep.Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
-
Her cellmate was asleep on the top bunk as Upton paced and looked out of the cell door’s window.Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
To the empty wok, add the remaining vegetable oil, the garlic, ginger, and scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, 30–60 seconds.Lois Goh, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024
-
There were cigarettes on the bar, empty glasses on the back tables, and only a dozen guests left at Sid Gold’s Request Room.Curbed Staff, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Great need can also reduce an ordinarily calm and reflective hunter to a gibbering imbecile.Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
-
On the other end, a scammer impersonates a bank representative with a calm and authoritative tone.Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Roofing contractors said good roofs with years of life left are being replaced ahead of schedule to allow insurers to reduce their risk going forward.Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Opened in 1956, Sunnyvale High School, the city’s second public high school, worked to achieve collaboration between students and educators, aiming to reduce violence and enrich the curriculum during the interracial tension that marked the 1960s and ’70s.Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
That feels off, as Hoosiers don't strike me as a particularly apathetic bunch.Eric Larsen, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
-
Popular on Variety Hank isn’t entirely apathetic, eventually becoming a science teacher.Stephen Saito, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near numb
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share