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
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 dulled
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
The emotions that drive decisions at the top of the free-agent market — sentimentality, desperation, urgency — are dulled by the organization’s adherence to process.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
In recent years, however, his Midas touch on the charts has dulled slightly, and his last two sets — 2023’s – (Minus) and 2024’s Autumn Variations — missed the top spot, while failing to generate the long-lasting hit singles his earlier albums had easily spun off.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2025
Syracuse University professor Dimitar Gueorguiev warned that TikTok’s edge has dulled.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
My sleep was fractured, my health declined, my decisions dulled, and my confidence wavered.
—Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Time hasn’t dulled the impact of the Evija’s design.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
Armani beauty’s high-wattage celebrity power has never dulled and spans generations.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
Hesse is starting to lose his vision — a reality that a man who spent his life looking through a camera is unwilling to accept just yet — but his passion for filmmaking hasn’t dulled in the slightest.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
The emotions that drive decisions at the top of the free-agent market — sentimentality, desperation, urgency — are dulled by the organization’s adherence to process.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
In recent years, however, his Midas touch on the charts has dulled slightly, and his last two sets — 2023’s – (Minus) and 2024’s Autumn Variations — missed the top spot, while failing to generate the long-lasting hit singles his earlier albums had easily spun off.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2025
Syracuse University professor Dimitar Gueorguiev warned that TikTok’s edge has dulled.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
My sleep was fractured, my health declined, my decisions dulled, and my confidence wavered.
—Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Time hasn’t dulled the impact of the Evija’s design.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
Armani beauty’s high-wattage celebrity power has never dulled and spans generations.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
-
Instead, watching Charles attempt to insert himself into the Garfield Administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings feels repetitive and a bit dull.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Their life in Watertown had been ordinary, maybe even dull sometimes.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
By the years of the Great Depression, the clown came to represent the faded glory of the circus and reflected the weariness felt by so many Americans in crisis.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An improved ozone layer also has blunted some effects of global warming – including the loss of phytoplankton, which have been reduced because of steps launched by the agreement.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, the effects on hiring may be blunted by persistent weakness in the labor market.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To honor the occasion, Reese bleached her hair and chopped it to her collarbone.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Without them, corals are ghostly white and bleached.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Gone are the days of the ultra-matte liquid lipstick.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The heiress and entrepreneur has a princess moment in a romantic pale pink gown with floral appliqués and a matching cape.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
These figures, while shocking, unfortunately pale in comparison to those from the recent war, now widely recognized as a genocide.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The right’s defense is equally blunt.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Hosts often want to hint that the evening is wrapping up without being blunt.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
For a family of three, the benefit would be reduced by $275.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share