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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Recent Examples of blunting
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
Even some small relief at the pump could give Trump the chance to claim credit for acting aggressively to lower prices —potentially blunting a key Democratic argument against him.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2026
But Death Stranding 2 had already been available for over a year on the PlayStation 5 when that leak happened, somewhat blunting its overall impact.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Preclinical research shows long-term estrogen deprivation epigenetically silences BDNF in the hippocampus, blunting the brain’s response to exercise over time.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 2 May 2026
Iran continued to export nearly 2 million barrels of oil each day through the strait, blunting some of the supply loss, according to energy data firm Kpler.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
The launches underscored continuing tensions between the Koreas, blunting South Korean hopes for warmer relations.
—CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
That one-time money would be earmarked under the legislation for blunting some of the cuts to Medicaid providers, housing and education that lawmakers are now considering.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 14 May 2026
Even some small relief at the pump could give Trump the chance to claim credit for acting aggressively to lower prices —potentially blunting a key Democratic argument against him.
—Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2026
But Death Stranding 2 had already been available for over a year on the PlayStation 5 when that leak happened, somewhat blunting its overall impact.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Preclinical research shows long-term estrogen deprivation epigenetically silences BDNF in the hippocampus, blunting the brain’s response to exercise over time.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 2 May 2026
Iran continued to export nearly 2 million barrels of oil each day through the strait, blunting some of the supply loss, according to energy data firm Kpler.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
The launches underscored continuing tensions between the Koreas, blunting South Korean hopes for warmer relations.
—CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
That one-time money would be earmarked under the legislation for blunting some of the cuts to Medicaid providers, housing and education that lawmakers are now considering.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunting
Verb
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The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
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On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The al fresco dining area is covered with beige tents, dulling the landscape.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
1 May 2026
-
At Source puts seven years of joint practice and mutual magnetism to tape without dulling the dynamic buzz of their live sets.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Section Two of the Voting Rights Act was written to prevent diminishing the voting power of racial minorities by packing them into one district or spreading them out across many districts.—
Sarah Clifton,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have kept many of the same players on the roster since the team’s 2022 run all the way to the World Series, though the returns have been diminishing.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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That separation is now weakening.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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In addition to these external influences, Dini emphasized that long-term domestic instability has left Somalia’s coastline vulnerable, weakening local institutions and lowering the risks for pirate networks.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Sam Lambert laid down a safety squeeze, deadening the ball in front of the plate and scoring Balls to trim the lead to 3-1.—
Dave Montrose,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 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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In the wake of the immigration raids last summer, many of their potential patrons refrained from hosting celebrations, dampening their business.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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One of San Francisco's busiest freeways remained shut down Saturday, creating major traffic delays and dampening business for some local restaurants and shops.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunting. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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