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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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
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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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of numb
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
So her face just smiles, tho’ her heart is growing numb.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Erica Sweeney, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
During your appointment, the healthcare professional will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
The numb detachment scrawled across Sofia’s face points to her resentment at having to put her life on hold while tending to the endless needs of her demanding mother, who uses a wheelchair but has been known to walk on rare occasions.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
So her face just smiles, tho’ her heart is growing numb.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
These include steroid and numbing creams, Dr. Wassef said, and pain relievers like acetaminophen and aspirin, Dr. Blumberg added.
—Erica Sweeney, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
During your appointment, the healthcare professional will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area.
—Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
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Glickman said carriers have tools to manage short-term overcapacity as needed, including slow steaming, blank sailings or putting vessels on idle.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2025
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The daring look was paired with blank pumps and was worn with her hair tightly slicked back.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And Susie Cullen’s production design turns typical markers of a fine-dining environment — windowless bathroom stalls; orange mood lighting; a stoic staff — into elements of a garish nightmare.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
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However, his recent frustration and hunger for a win has left him breaking from his usual stoic self.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And a charming atmosphere, reinforced by a warm visual language (Marc Spicer serves as DP), dulls the creepiness of those early drops.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
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Contrast this with summer, where vacation mode dulls urgency, or winter, where holiday fatigue and short days can sap enthusiasm, spring hits a psychological sweet spot.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a video posted on March 4, which has already been viewed 1.5 million times, a three-day-old Alex lies fast asleep in his owner's arms, taking a nap in the sun.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The victims' roommates have said all the occupants of the rental house near the University of Idaho campus were home and asleep or in their rooms by 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At the end of the family's very eventful day, Duggar and Wissmann sat around a quiet, unlit campfire with many empty camping chairs waiting for the rest of the family to arrive.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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From 65 million to 80 million housing units across China are estimated to be empty.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The calm, shallow waters of Holbox provide the ideal setting for this deeply relaxing, transformative activity.—
Rana Good,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Spend your days hiking to Tahquitz Falls or strolling the calm trails within the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.—
Danielle Pointdujour,
Essence,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These layoffs reduced staffing at some local weather forecast offices to threadbare levels, causing some to reduce their services.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
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Although reducing the property tax burden could provide significant benefits to business owners and homeowners, there’s no guarantee that landlords would pass those savings on to their tenants.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These kinds of policies cultivate students who rely on their schools to shield them from the natural consequences of their poor choices, and enable apathetic, unmotivated students to remain apathetic and unmotivated.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
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And because plenty of teens are apathetic about school, many parents and teachers are willing to give those kids a pass.—
Jenny Anderson,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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