1
as in dull
lacking a surface luster or gloss
it might be best to paint the exposed pipes with a dulled enamel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
the dulled colors and brownish tones are characteristic of this painter's works
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dulled blade of a knife that had been stored in a drawer full of miscellaneous utensils
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reduced
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dulled
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
His helmet was not matte black, after all, but scratched up and dulled by dings and scuffings.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026
Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
The researchers positioned intuitive attunement as something that gets dulled by painful experience and reclaimed through healing.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The sparkle of the moment is somewhat dulled, though, when Mark turns to Margo and claims to have never called CPS on her.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
His helmet was not matte black, after all, but scratched up and dulled by dings and scuffings.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026
Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
The researchers positioned intuitive attunement as something that gets dulled by painful experience and reclaimed through healing.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
-
Agathe finds her boss’s remarks dull, but more or less shares these views.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
-
Dish soap strips away the protective wax and can actually dull or damage the paint over time, leaving it more vulnerable to scratches and fading.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
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
-
The results have been impressive enough from far away, but examined more closely as a blunted, external force, Big Brother has almost always been too literal in horror cinema.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Orientation matters; garlic is planted vertically, with the root (blunted) end of the clove facing down, and the sprout (pointy) end facing up.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In March, Tyler pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that reduced his first-degree rape charge to a third-degree offense.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The only exception came during the COVID years, when the schedule was temporarily reduced.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
After the spinning and weaving, textiles had to be cleaned and bleached.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
15 June 2026
-
The movie features a teenage character who bleached his hair, leading Vin Diesel's character to believe something nefarious was afoot.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 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
-
Located on the northeast coast near Willikies, this peaceful area offers wide stretches of pale sand, clear shallow water, and easy access to some of Antigua’s most beautiful coastline.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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Too much sunlight, normally only a problem in areas with extremely hot climates, may cause plants to bleach out and look pale, which may be mistaken for yellowing.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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