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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
This shift is strangely numbing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from what brings you joy.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
While an opioid would’ve been an easy choice, a doctor performed a nerve block instead, numbing the peripheral areas of pain rather than sedating the brain.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
This shift is strangely numbing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
Above her headboard, a small square painting floats on a blank wall like a postage stamp, recalling a cross above the bed.—
Keith Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
11 Sep. 2025
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In 2022 and 2024, there were similar blank stretches, but both seasons ended with major wallops to Florida — Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His sibling, Jem (Sean Bean), has traveled to the small shed that his stoic, hermit-like brother calls home.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
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He was introduced as the silent, stoic bodyguard for MJF, a role that eventually led to one of the most celebrated babyface turns in the company's history.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In parts of Southeast Asia, totality will begin as the full moon rises, dulling the effect.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Even when the Dodgers find a glimmer, it has been dulled rather quickly.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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Alessandro Michele debuted Valentino’s resort 2026 collection as an assortment of dreamscape portraits featuring models playing guitar, applying makeup or asleep in bed.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Erik Thommy could not get to the rebound in time to take advantage of an empty net, and his shot was blocked by a defender out for a corner kick.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
-
What To Know On the night of August 22, Zarutska boarded a Lynx Blue Line train and sat in an empty two-person seat.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the decent people who are likely to pay attention to calls for calm and cool aren’t the ones raising the temperature anyway.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His team accused Whatley of distorting the facts to cover for his support of federal policies that reduced funding for local police.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Valentino has been streamlining its wholesale channel, reduced by about 20 percent in 2024, a strategy that continued in 2025 and that is expected to impact its year-end performance.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The missions led to several breakthroughs, including a motionless lane-switch mechanism, a safer magnetic levitation system, and improved structural resilience.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
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Small panfish and bream float stunned and motionless in the five feet or so of zapped lake around the boat, but the target eels do not seem as susceptible in the marshy edges that are lined with brush.—
Wesley Bruer,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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