BLUNTING Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

blunting

verb

present participle of blunt

as in reducing

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the mushy music blunted the effect of the movie's final tragic scene

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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 blunting The law is aimed at blunting financial scams that often target older adults, which frequently include prompting victims to withdraw large sums of money at once. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026 Semaglutide can hook into this system, blunting the usual pleasure from eating high-fat and sugary treats. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Greg Jaffe and Kate Kelly Politicians and officials in Mexico are using the country’s laws to intimidate critics and the media, forcing them into censorship and blunting scrutiny. — Kate Kelly Vincent Alban Paulina Villegas Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 21 June 2026 The body adapts to the daily dose, blunting caffeine’s impact on blood pressure, mental alertness and exercise performance. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026 Quality drops around menstruation as estrogen and progesterone fall, blunting melatonin and cortisol rhythms. — Allison Palmer updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026 Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common. — Philip Martin, Fortune, 29 May 2026 South Africa’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, in effect blunting a $1 billion fuel relief package designed to soften the blow of surging oil prices. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 May 2026 But Ukraine claims that a new generation of interceptors is blunting the impact of Russian attacks on its cities. — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunting

Verb

While serving as a public health official, el Sayed wrote an op-ed in 2019 strongly supporting the Green New Deal, arguing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help improve public health.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of reducing

Verb

Eyesafe technology cuts blue light without dulling the color, which is easier on your eyes during long work days.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Sep. 2026
Storing knives loose in a drawer and scrubbing them too zealously creates a fine network of scratches, further dulling the finish.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dulling

Verb

But as stock prices climb and bond yields increase, that relative advantage is diminishing, leaving less room for equities to absorb higher rates.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition to second base, center field and the closer’s role, third base is an issue complicated by Ryan McMahon’s $16 million salary, diminishing glove and paltry offense.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishing

Verb

Mortgage demand continues to drop sharply, as buyers face higher prices and weakening affordability.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
The upper-level trough over the western United States will gradually advance eastward, weakening the influence of the ridge that has kept us hot and relatively dry.

— Michael Autovino, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

Inside the cabin, extensive additional sound deadening in the doors, trunk and wheel arches means phone calls and passenger conversations are entirely effortless at highway speeds.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Each presents a group portrait of a handful of disaffected British suburbanites—husbands who resent their deadening jobs, toddlers who whine and interrupt, and, above all, hassled wives subsumed by a crush of household obligations.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of deadening

Verb

An improved suspension helped, as did the additional sound dampening made possible by its unified construction.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Polls show bipartisan concerns about AI developing too quickly, and high costs for everyday items like gas and groceries are dampening the economic outlook for many Americans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dampening

Browse Nearby Words

blunted

blunting

bluntly

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“Blunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunting. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blunting

verb

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