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

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 blunting 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunting

Verb

Security analysts speculate that many are willing to talk about their bribes to politicians, in hopes of reducing their sentences.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The local manufacturing requirement is intended to strengthen Greece’s domestic defence sector while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers over the long term.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Definition of reducing

Verb

Your diplomatic touch can set kind boundaries without dulling your warmth.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Blurring bamboo silk powders keep shine in check without dulling skin, while camellia seed oil and antioxidant-rich vitamin E help mature complexions look smooth, hydrated, and naturally luminous.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026

Definition of dulling

Verb

Staffs are diminishing as layoffs in the industry remain rampant, as was seen in the ESPN firings this week, and reporters are being tasked with juggling several responsibilities at once.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
At 28 years old, clubs will also factor in his diminishing resale value.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of diminishing

Verb

Or would that strategy end up weakening the forces tasked with holding the line against Russia?

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Sleep deprivation makes leaders less perceptive and human, weakening their presence and effectiveness with people, whereas quality sleep is essential for fostering authentic, influential leadership.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

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
Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.

— John Ramos, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of deadening

Verb

That increase was aimed at dampening the impact on consumer prices from higher oil prices due to the US-Iran war and subsequent interruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
The lifestyle guru, Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, and Hailey Bieber have all been leaning into the breezy button-down shirt trend, which makes for such a chic swap for basic, look-dampening tees.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 20 July 2026

Definition of dampening

Browse Nearby Words

blunted

blunting

bluntly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Blunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunting. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of blunting

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on blunting

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kludge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes