as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
a succession of personal tragedies had benumbed him to all grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The coronavirus vaccine reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to covid-19 — strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalization from heart disease — by about 40 percent, according to a new study.—
Daniel Wu,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
-
Consolidating multiple high-rate debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate can simplify the repayment process and lower your monthly costs, making your debt more manageable and reducing the likelihood of falling behind.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Remove the oven racks before using the self-cleaning function, as the high heat can dull the finish.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Dec. 2025
-
And pricey homes, which can dull the move-up market, have become a nationwide headache.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Pair it with protein or fiber to help slow down digestion and blunt its impact on blood sugar.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
19 Aug. 2025
-
That could reduce alcohol consumption, as well as blunt the rise in blood alcohol content, the researchers said.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On the spicy side, there were plenty of fragrant, tingly, numbing málà peppers.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
-
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
-
When plants are set too close together, air circulation is diminished, which encourages a more humid plant canopy that favors disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
-
To bolster his case, DeWine brandished charts and graphs detailing the diminishing number of death sentences meted out by courts and showing the exceedingly long wait times that elapse as legal appeals play out for those on death row.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The screenplay grows more complex and rewarding as the central relationship weakens, effectively forcing Sonya to deal with her exhausting boyfriend (Levon Hawke) and pushing Coley to connect with her father who, for whatever reason, spends a lot of time hand-making turquoise jewelry.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
This, of course, is problematic for the homegrown haters because the opposing opinion from neutral outsiders weakens their argument and should strengthen our resolve.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In past years, Maplewood has added noise-deadening baffles and a sound-deflecting berm to the site.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
11 May 2026
-
Merrill had the same impulse—the need to become a self not necessarily free of all that money could buy but not crippled or deadened by it, either.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kim said the numbers have since lowered and overcrowding has subsided.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benumb. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
