as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a succession of personal tragedies had benumbed him to all grief
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benumb
Because both actors look like lumpish proletarian versions of Ingmar Bergman stars — Alma Pöysti, radiant yet benumbed, plays Ansa like a dish-towel Bibi Andersson, and Jussi Vatanen could be the schlump brother of Max von Sydow (with a dollop of Ryan Gosling).
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 May 2023
What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment.
—Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2019
But her core insight into how even mediocrities can be institutionally benumbed and conscripted into heinous projects remains fertile.
—George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 May 2023
What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment.
—Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2019
But her core insight into how even mediocrities can be institutionally benumbed and conscripted into heinous projects remains fertile.
—George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benumb
Verb
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The City Council voted 7-0 June 10 to approve an ordinance to reduce the latest time in which peddlers and solicitors can knock on doors, ring doorbells or otherwise try to get admittance at residences from 9 p.m. Gayatri Agnew, Ward 1 City Council member, abstained from voting.—
Thomas Saccente,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2025
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For all adolescents, participating in a sports team can reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness.—
Gavin Yamey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Even when exhaustion dulled my vigilance, my worries didn’t disappear.—
David Litt
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
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The trade-off with vertical slots is that the tip of your blades will rest up against the block material and may dull over time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Verb
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In parallel, persistent activation of the sympathetic nervous system blunts the parasympathetic response required for arousal.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Collins is not the only Republican looking to blunt the effect of the party-line legislation on hospitals back home.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Too often, our narratives are either numbing doomsday scenarios or dry technical solutions.—
Solitaire Townsend,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
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After numbing the scrotal skin with a local anesthetic, the urologist makes a small opening in the skin, often so small that no stitches or scalpels are needed.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2025
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Flagg won’t be the only rookie cashing in: Every first-round selection in this year’s draft is projected to earn a seven-figure salary, although each slot has a diminishing value.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Kil noted that one of the features of the town hall remodel project will deaden the noise from the passing trains, which at times can drown out speakers during town meetings.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
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She was shot three times at close range, with a blanket wrapped around the gun to deaden the sound.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Once the killing subsided, a desperate search began to find a way to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.—
Oona A. Hathaway,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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The program’s vehicles were rentals and will be returned to vendors as the program subsides.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benumb. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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