Definition of dullnext
1
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7
8

dull

2 of 2

verb

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
Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia can dull or etch surfaces. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026 Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands. Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
To protect himself, however, Trask has created an inhibitor field that de-powers any mutant nearby, dulling Wolverine’s healing power and ferocity. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
  • Snyder litters his film with blunt butterfly symbolism to the point where someone could make a drinking game out of their recurring appearances that would end in alcohol poisoning.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Journe explains the decision in his characteristically blunt style.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Jasmine[‘s character] has a husband, a daughter, a boring life sometimes.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These recipes for muffins, snack mix, energy balls and more are proof that eating better doesn’t have to be boring, regardless of age.
    Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Mercury opposes hazy Neptune, making expectations unclear and interruptions harder to manage.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • The moody music, polygonal characters that feel almost hieroglyphic, and text presented in a mix of English, ancient languages, and invented languages make for a hazy experience.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Not to mention, its faded ivy tone is the perfect autumn hue.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Ben Rahilly owns an appliance store, a gift shop, a furniture store and a concrete business in Newberry, a faded logging town about 60 miles west of the Canadian border.
    Russ McNamara, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Combined with a brutal noon start time that provided no shade or relief throughout the game, the conditions meant there weren’t many fans brave enough, or quite frankly dumb enough, to endure a heat index of roughly 105 degrees.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an incident at a gun range where Ned’s fear of looking emasculated requires his army vet girlfriend to fall for his very dumb, very obvious lies.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The infected children reported a range of skin and soft tissue symptoms, including spots, pustules, blisters, and abscesses.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That belief — that culture is simultaneously an economic force, a source of soft power and something that requires active protection — became the thesis for the gathering, the first of this scale in a century.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Booksellers like Payne typically post their holdings on multiple websites, such as AbeBooks, Alibris, Amazon, and Biblio, with Alibris widely considered to be the sleepiest revenue stream of the bunch.
    Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For most of their lives, the tracks were a sleepy industrial bypass known as the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.
    John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster