1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dull
Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
The Lane Kiffin Show is never dull.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 1 May 2026
Algae, salt deposits, moss, and mineral stains can dull your favorite terracotta pots.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
As a narrative, it’s never tidily shaped or resolved, and never dull either.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
The Lane Kiffin Show is never dull.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
Verb
The al fresco dining area is covered with beige tents, dulling the landscape.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 1 May 2026
Algae, salt deposits, moss, and mineral stains can dull your favorite terracotta pots.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
Asked if the best players have to be better, Dahlin offered a blunt response in the locker room after the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The slick creatures, with their blunt heads and whiskers, are sometimes easy to spot in the water, but the restaurants that have perfected eating them are a bit harder to find.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Moreover, the subject is weedy and boring.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
In comic book canon, Clark's earlier years are actually pretty boring!—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
But its geological origins are hazy.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Even if my archive was unverifiable or incongruous, the hazy, contradictory landscape of Goodman’s life was the truth of her existence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
When deadheading, cut where the blossom's stem joins the rest of the plant—in other words, remove not only the faded flower, but the tiny stem attached to it as well.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
-
Next to the dog, a faded print of Big Ben, and a commemorative plate with the late Queen Elizabeth II smiling from nine different decades.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
These dumb little kids were freaking bored.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
The series will now be hosted by British comedian Jack Whitehall and the network has lined up a phalanx of celebrities aiming not to be the dumbest in the country.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
For her latest appearance on the red carpet, Riley Keough was drawn to something softer.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
For instance, as my soft secondaries and the receivers who’ll benefit most from them in fantasy football article detailed, this system grades a defensive back who allows a low yards per attempt (YPA) total but a high PPR fantasy points per game (FPPG) total as a favorable matchup.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tucked into the sleepy hillside village of Agra, the home was originally commissioned as a vacation house for Milanese entrepreneur Luigi Cattaneo.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
-
Memory has been the biggest theme of late due to a global shortage that's driven up prices and turned Micron, a 47-year-old company tucked in a sleepy corner of the semiconductor market, into one of the hottest trades over the past 12 months.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Earlier that year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a sweeping climate change bill with an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and to achieve economy-wide net-zero levels by 2050.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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