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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dulled
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Penumbral eclipses are even subtler, with the lunar surface merely dulled.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Once the series’ calling card, self-awareness has here been dulled into self-soothing.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026
At its core, though, authenticity suggests experiences that feel genuine rather than manufactured—places where daily life unfolds naturally, traditions aren’t staged for visitors, and commercial gloss hasn’t dulled a destination’s character.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The Air Max 95 joined late last summer and now boasts a total of three colorways including an Eric Koston collab, although complaints about quality have dulled the excitement.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
If the edges of the clippers have dulled, wiping down the blades with WD-40.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Brady, who’s known to cover all his bases, brought pages and pages of notes and an avalanche of facts that dulled the show.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
That fun, high-energy performance by Sabrina Impacciatore was just what this building needed after a lengthy parade of nations that dulled the atmosphere a bit.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Many agreed the change dulled the beloved flavor of the starchy staple.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Penumbral eclipses are even subtler, with the lunar surface merely dulled.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Once the series’ calling card, self-awareness has here been dulled into self-soothing.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026
At its core, though, authenticity suggests experiences that feel genuine rather than manufactured—places where daily life unfolds naturally, traditions aren’t staged for visitors, and commercial gloss hasn’t dulled a destination’s character.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
The Air Max 95 joined late last summer and now boasts a total of three colorways including an Eric Koston collab, although complaints about quality have dulled the excitement.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
If the edges of the clippers have dulled, wiping down the blades with WD-40.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Brady, who’s known to cover all his bases, brought pages and pages of notes and an avalanche of facts that dulled the show.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
That fun, high-energy performance by Sabrina Impacciatore was just what this building needed after a lengthy parade of nations that dulled the atmosphere a bit.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
-
The back-and-forth between Archie and Katie is exhausting, and the politics of academia, including budget changes and the revolving door of faculty and staff, are rather dull.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Cold temperatures dull flavors and aromas—meaning your drink just won't be as full-flavored as one poured at room temperature or served over ice.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
There's the faded mural of Mount Lookout just below the ceiling.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Orientation matters; garlic is planted vertically, with the root (blunted) end of the clove facing down, and the sprout (pointy) end facing up.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Flat, calm but earnest, mildly anxious, blunted, volatile.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Halsey said the women’s identities were reduced to billboard images during the investigation of their deaths.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Second, the swift realignment of NASA Goddard’s priorities with the President’s budget request for the 2026 fiscal year — a realignment that occurred when the budget was still only a request — reduced the availability of mission formulation and mission engineering personnel to work on AXIS.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Corals bleached and their population nose-dived, especially in the Keys, where water temperatures hit a Jacuzzi-like 101 degrees.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Egg cartons made with recycled paper could be bleached or potentially contain contaminants, depending on the origins of the paper.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 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
-
Gosling begins singing about the pale blue dot and his new movie — but the camera keeps panning away, selecting Harry!—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Fruit Salad To keep things chic and simple, opt for a neutral base and ask for cherry, strawberry, orange, and blueberry designs in muted shades, with pale green stems to keep the look fun but not too outré.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The French bob Chin length and with blunt-ish ends, the French bob gives fine hair natural movement and texture.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Causes of death are almost infinite, Harding noted — gunshot wounds, heart attack, illness, blunt force trauma.—
Shannon Tyler
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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