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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 matte
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
Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025
Girlhood daydreams and bridal magazines promised glitz and sparkle on her Big Day, but the whole event had turned out as dull as the blade’s rounded end.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 June 2025
Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
These results suggest that the brain regions associated with cognitive control and emotion are deeply involved in mediating our political intensity, with injuries that dull our cognitive control increasing our intensity and injuries that dull our emotions doing the opposite.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
The headphones lack clarity and sound dull out of the box.
—Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025
Girlhood daydreams and bridal magazines promised glitz and sparkle on her Big Day, but the whole event had turned out as dull as the blade’s rounded end.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
Even so, that dimmer wattage does little to dull a film that plays like cine-karaoke — and as any mic fiend can attest, the glory in those moments belongs not to the singer, but the song.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
These results suggest that the brain regions associated with cognitive control and emotion are deeply involved in mediating our political intensity, with injuries that dull our cognitive control increasing our intensity and injuries that dull our emotions doing the opposite.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe had died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
25 June 2025
-
Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, one of blunt force trauma, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman told Judge Kimberly Menninger during Monday’s hearing, drawing gasps from the owners in the courtroom gallery.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is worlds away from that boring deli chicken sandwich, while still being easy enough to whip up on the busiest of days.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
The contract’s scope of work includes the single bore tunnel, station entrances and exits, the excavation of underground stations and the procurement of a tunnel boring machine.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
How this all will ultimately lead to world-building applications is hazy—and that’s part of the point.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
-
Looking for a 4/20 warm up show that will haunt your hazy dreams?—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
This Lulus bag is primarily matte and clean, with just a tinge of silver on the top handle and cutesy bow.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
-
To get this result, Dempsey recommends the Dior Addict Lip Tint for its transfer-proof, semi-matte finish.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Staining not only revives faded wood but also helps protect it from sun, moisture and insects.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
-
Select a faded flower and follow the stem down, cutting it 12 inches or more below the bloom, deep into the plant to encourage more long stems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
That includes things like mapping the profiles of people who could make future leaders, prioritizing growth opportunities for them, and focusing on cultivating softer people skills among this group, along with technical expertise.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
-
While investors are hoping for a soft landing in the U.S. economy, how severe might the outcome be if another recession occurs?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.—
Clea Haran,
Parents,
23 June 2025
-
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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