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 matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss
a good polish should restore that car's dull finish
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dull
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The only other real difference was that the no-sugar version looked shinier and gummier, whereas the originals were a bit duller in comparison.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 29 July 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The once-vibrant golds of delicate floral and geometric designs have dulled to mustard.
—Carl David Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
Give us images or video, or give us death—not death in reality, but all text and no pictures make your advertising dull.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
The only other real difference was that the no-sugar version looked shinier and gummier, whereas the originals were a bit duller in comparison.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 29 July 2025
Verb
Left unchecked, this functional mode of interaction can dull emotional intimacy and create relational fatigue.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The once-vibrant golds of delicate floral and geometric designs have dulled to mustard.
—Carl David Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
Some policymakers have advocated for blunt price caps as a quick solution to escalating drug prices.—
Rita Numerof,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Gone are the Davos power sheaths and blunt business bob from her time as White House senior adviser.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Stick with boring investments to avoid big mistakes from get-rich-quick schemes.—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Hosting every summit in a big European city would alleviate much of the pressure to re-invent the wheel every time with respect to hotels, transit, and other boring but essential logistical details.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That memory was hazy, half-lost–until a family photo album resurfaced decades later.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The near-surface smoke could dissipate by then, while the sky might still be hazy.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This Lulus bag is primarily matte and clean, with just a tinge of silver on the top handle and cutesy bow.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
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To get this result, Dempsey recommends the Dior Addict Lip Tint for its transfer-proof, semi-matte finish.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There is, also, something compensatory in a regard for faded footstools, thick boots and window curtains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Dial options include matte black, tropical brown, and vintage navy, all featuring creamy Super-LumiNova GL old radium markers designed to evoke the faded lume of historic tool watches.—
Matthew Catellier,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
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Another classic silhouette, Arhaus’s blend of jute and cotton makes this rug feel slightly softer underfoot.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The latter gets rid of flaky skin, while the balm keeps them soft.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The goal is to evolve The Really Useful Group from a sleepy theater company into an entertainment powerhouse with a hand in everything from gaming to movies to consumer products.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
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By the time morning arrives in the sleepy hamlet of Maybrook, Pennsylvania only one student, Alexy Lilly (Cary Christopher) remains.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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