dull 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdəl How to pronounce dull (audio)
Definition of dullnext
1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it

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2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else

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3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach

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4
as in dulled
lacking a surface luster or gloss a good polish should restore that car's dull finish

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5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time

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6
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues

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7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume a dull roar from the distance

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8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season

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dull

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to blunt
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better

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2
as in to bleach
to make white or lighter by removing color the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dull differ from other similar words?

The words blunt and obtuse are common synonyms of dull. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain
a dull mind

When can blunt be used instead of dull?

Although the words blunt and dull have much in common, blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

When is it sensible to use obtuse instead of dull?

The meanings of obtuse and dull largely overlap; however, obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

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 dull
Adjective
However, what ends up on screen is interminably dull, both in its visual construction and in its haphazard narrative swerves. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 June 2026 The parade is more than an hour long, but with so much to see and cheer for, there's never a dull moment. —Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Verb
Concern has grown over on whether AI will become a catalyst that enriches humanity or a technological toxin that dulls human intelligence while wiping out millions of high-paying jobs. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 Freezing can dull the garlic and lemon flavors, Schwan says, so adding those ingredients back in helps the hummus taste fresh again. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
  1. blunt
  2. boring
  3. hazy
  4. matte
  5. faded
  6. dumb
  7. soft
  8. sleepy
Adjective
  • Take inspiration from Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and ask your hairdresser for soft, invisible layers, which create the illusion of a blunt cut while still adding movement and texture around the cheek, jaw, and collarbones.
    — Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
  • The deputy sheriff also said that Cortavious and Cortavion had marijuana in the car, stating that Yates could see a blunt inside.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of blunt
Adjective
  • Swapping any boring sweater with this one will instantly upgrade your travel wardrobe (without much effort at all).
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
  • He was meant to only be the stick-in-the-mud boring guy.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 11 June 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Prometheus offers an answer — a hazy one, given the few specifics on offer — of something that’s been hard to see two years into this hype cycle.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 11 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, Maze of Dreams by Fine Scents captures the feel of a hazy memory or atmosphere.
    — Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Definition of hazy
Adjective
  • Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • Pinch Off Faded Flowers or Cut Back To ensure continuous production, Anna Ohler, the owner of Bright Lane Gardens, suggests pinching off any faded flowers, including the seed pod.
    — Jane Kim, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
  • The cream color pops against faded black jeans, as in Hudson’s outfit, but it can also be paired with blue denim, skirts, or linen pants.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Definition of faded
Adjective
  • But the truly dangerous frontier is the American high school, where girls are willing to play dumb and give up their secrets, friends, privacy and virginity to fit in and find love.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
  • There were those dumb America's Care Packages that bestowed special powers to popular players to give them unfair advantages.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • As the limestone’s natural acids slowly leach into the softer sandstone, the structure will erode over time.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
  • Take inspiration from Love Story’s Sarah Pidgeon and ask your hairdresser for soft, invisible layers, which create the illusion of a blunt cut while still adding movement and texture around the cheek, jaw, and collarbones.
    — Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • At the time, it was largely viewed as a sleepy networking company for enterprise.
    — R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Spoilers ahead for Every Year After Every Year After is the latest TV show to mine drama from a sleepy cottage town.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 10 June 2026
Definition of sleepy

Browse Nearby Words

dulcifying
dull
dullard
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Cite this Entry

“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dull for Spanish Speakers

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