1
as in dull
lacking a surface luster or gloss
it might be best to paint the exposed pipes with a dulled enamel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
the dulled colors and brownish tones are characteristic of this painter's works
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dulled blade of a knife that had been stored in a drawer full of miscellaneous utensils
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reduced
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dulled
Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The tool is a soft-hammer retoucher — a specialized tool used to sharpen dulled flint handaxes.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
That setback hasn’t dulled the second-year quarterback’s respect for Allen.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Firing Alonso, just eight months after appointing him to bring a fresh modern approach to the team, might have dulled some of the pain that Perez and other Madridistas were feeling after regular blows through this season, with Sunday’s Supercopa 3-2 final defeat by Barcelona the latest.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Pregnancy hasn’t dulled her drive.
—Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
But this year the shower will be dulled by the supermoon.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Yet Friday’s release, replete with redactions, has not dulled the clamor for information given how many records had yet to be released and because some of the materials had already been made public.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The danger and horror of these people is dulled.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
The men were loose-brained now, dulled by aguardiente and whatever narcotic Grejo had shot into himself, but the morning sun might deliver a hard-nosed clarity, the kind that could get Adi killed.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The tool is a soft-hammer retoucher — a specialized tool used to sharpen dulled flint handaxes.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026
That setback hasn’t dulled the second-year quarterback’s respect for Allen.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Firing Alonso, just eight months after appointing him to bring a fresh modern approach to the team, might have dulled some of the pain that Perez and other Madridistas were feeling after regular blows through this season, with Sunday’s Supercopa 3-2 final defeat by Barcelona the latest.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Pregnancy hasn’t dulled her drive.
—Holly Alvarado, Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
But this year the shower will be dulled by the supermoon.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025
Yet Friday’s release, replete with redactions, has not dulled the clamor for information given how many records had yet to be released and because some of the materials had already been made public.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
The danger and horror of these people is dulled.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
-
And that is gratifying after two episodes of somewhat dull table-setting.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
All in all, 2026 asks you to grow up without growing dull or losing your sense of wonder.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, her glam was soft and even-toned, bolstered only by a sharp baby wing of black liner, highlight on her nose and a faded taupe hue on her lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Each of the 22 pages, about the size of those in a typical hardcover book, is inscribed on both sides with easily visible black and faded-brown words written by the monks.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Anyone who follows Texas knows that defense and taking care of the ball are the cornerstones of this program, and while the Horns did force the Gamecocks into a bounty of miscues, their own missteps blunted a great chance to get a bounce-back after losing 70-65 at LSU on Sunday.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Jan. 2026
-
But even those findings haven’t blunted the video’s explosive impact.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just as those revolutionary murals have sun-bleached and blistered, so the heady jubilation of the students’ victory has become tarnished by infighting and division.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Whether hair is bleached, color treated, or frequently heat styled, this formula aims to minimize breakage, reduce frizz, and smooth the appearance of split ends for a healthier-looking finish.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Nov. 2025
-
The 42 mm case wears well thanks to ergonomically short lugs and restrained proportions, on a semi-matte alligator strap with a flamboyant yellow lining.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Egg yolks can range in color from pale yellow to deep orange.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Think pale hues with a sober gray tint or tranquil neutrals.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The buildup of naval assets off and around the coast of Iran is blunt and plodding.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS RING OR BUST – Patriots quarterback reveals coach's blunt Super Bowl message to team.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In all, the fees were reduced by about $620,000 through automatic waivers and other savings, said Andrea Osgood, Eden Housing’s chief of real estate development.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This population has been reduced by vehicle strikes and by animals sustaining rodenticide poisoning over the past decades.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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