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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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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Earlier that year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a sweeping climate change bill with an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and to achieve economy-wide net-zero levels by 2050.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Scrutinizing his military background feels like the only way to dull the edge of this razor-sharp politician.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
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Absent the friction of putting thoughts into language, thinking dulls.—
Jamil Zaki,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Pairing rice cakes with fiber, protein, or fat can help slow digestion and blunt the blood sugar spike.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
14 May 2026
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In certain people, the submandibular glands—as well as the adjacent fat pockets and digastric muscles (which aid in swallowing, chewing, and speech)—can give a look of fullness, blunting the border between the face and neck.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
14 May 2026
Verb
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On the spicy side, there were plenty of fragrant, tingly, numbing málà peppers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
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One key tactic the Germans learned from Americans was that American sports reporting and sensationalizing was meant to show bravado, while the Nazi variant was deliberately used to numb and mislead.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Successive presidential administrations have done little to diminish alcohol’s harms.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 May 2026
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That evolution doesn’t diminish the importance of our core business.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Verb
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As consumer activity has weakened, the central bank has warned about the growing misalignment between real sentiment and headline GDP growth.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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Heat can shrink fabrics, fade colors and weaken elastic fibers, which shortens the life of garments that would otherwise hold up for years.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Exposing the dental pulp and cleaning out the cavity’s contents also would have deadened the nerves and blood vessels there, leading to pain relief, Zubova said.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although fighting largely subsided weeks ago, the Strait of Hormuz, remains blocked.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
16 May 2026
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That skepticism never fully subsided.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benumb. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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