as in reduces
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 blunts
The cinematography drains vitality from even its most visually obvious ideas with lighting that blunts the impact of nearly every other department.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
By this decade, your body has started to naturally lose muscle mass, and putting on new muscle may be more difficult due to anabolic resistance, which blunts the muscle’s ability to respond to external stimuli like exercise and protein.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
For Sanders, landing and holding a blue-chip defensive back during a losing season is a massive recruiting win that blunts any narratives of recruits fleeing the program.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
For Singh, Stargate blunts the essence of the Clayton Act by potentially eliminating competition down the road.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
By this decade, your body has started to naturally lose muscle mass, and putting on new muscle may be more difficult due to anabolic resistance, which blunts the muscle’s ability to respond to external stimuli like exercise and protein.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
For Sanders, landing and holding a blue-chip defensive back during a losing season is a massive recruiting win that blunts any narratives of recruits fleeing the program.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
For Singh, Stargate blunts the essence of the Clayton Act by potentially eliminating competition down the road.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunts
Verb
-
Acidification reduces the pH of seawater, which also diminishes sound absorption, so the stain of ship’s engine noise spreads further, muffling the songs of humpbacks and the codas of sperm whales.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Each option reduces overall productivity, cutting supplies of basic foods, feed for livestock and key ingredients used in a wide range of food products.—
Aya S. Chacar,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite its stellar cast, the cumbersome plot dulls the comedic beats that would otherwise be razor-sharp.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After months of cold weather, your windows are likely coated with a layer of grime that dulls your view and makes even the brightest day feel a little gray.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is the type of consistency that numbs fans from their love of the game.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The lack of marbling, fat, and bone diminishes the beefy taste of these cuts.—
Sheena Chihak,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Even if the petrodollar weakens, dollar dominance still rests on other factors that other currencies can’t match, according to Paul Blustein, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
When asked to comment, Apple pointed to previous statements, saying that the DMA discourages innovation, weakens privacy protections, delays or degrades product launches and increases security risks.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Light watering that only dampens the top layer of grass encourages weak root systems.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Recession risk dampens the confidence for big purchases, even if mortgage math improves.—
John Walkup,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Apr. 2026
-
While the deal is budget-neutral during its first year, city residents would likely notice the impact of the furloughs as the absence of workers decreases the quality of service in many areas.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blunts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunts. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
