1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else
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3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach
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4
as in dulled
lacking a surface luster or gloss
a good polish should restore that car's dull finish
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5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time
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6
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues
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7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
a dull roar from the distance
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8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season
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1
as in to blunt
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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2
as in to bleach
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dull
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The Americans were crisp and connected, not wooden and dull.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Concern has grown over on whether AI will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
But people and money are finite, and an analyst sent to count the power behind artificial intelligence is an analyst not minding the oil numbers, which are mature, dull, and easy to leave running untended.
—Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The Americans were crisp and connected, not wooden and dull.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
Verb
The loss of Joseph Ossai might sting a little, but the potential production from Maye and Lawrence should dull the ache.
—Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Concern has grown over on whether AI will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
Later that day, some Republican senators who have been hesitant to challenge the president directly on the Iran war were blunt in their criticism of his deal to end it.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
The medical examiner's office later determined the cause of death to be child abuse, including blunt force trauma, neglect, starvation and dehydration.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes safe and boring can be a winning strategy.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Scratches, streaks, and a hazy appearance are common results of treating oven glass like any other surface, especially when stains have been baked on for some time.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 June 2026
-
Three signature beer varieties were poured by the craft brewery, including its Kit Kupker, an amber ale; Devil’s Paint Box, a West Coast IPA; and Honest Haze, a hazy IPA.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Police say that the suspect's vehicle has a faded convertible top, no rear window, chrome-and-red European-style taillights and chrome rims.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
Next to a limp rack of sleeveless tops stands a postapocalyptic forager-warrior mannequin in jeans, a faded plaid shirt, and a black baseball cap from the plus-size-women’s brand Torrid.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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And the script’s very cute but deeply dumb leading man, Alex (Nico Carney), climbs a flight of stairs toward his best friend’s bedroom door.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
And there are no ego-destroying confrontations with people who know how to do things, who tell you that your idea is dumb.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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But so do bursts of color, softer fabrics and strange patterns.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
At some point, sleepy teenagers make their way into the kitchen, lured by the aroma of whatever their mom has decided to bake before dawn.—
Julie Jordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
-
Ferries make regular runs to the sleepy island community located 40 or so miles off the coast of the New England mainland — weather permitting, of course.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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