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
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
His helmet was not matte black, after all, but scratched up and dulled by dings and scuffings.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026
Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
The researchers positioned intuitive attunement as something that gets dulled by painful experience and reclaimed through healing.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The sparkle of the moment is somewhat dulled, though, when Mark turns to Margo and claims to have never called CPS on her.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
His helmet was not matte black, after all, but scratched up and dulled by dings and scuffings.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026
Its poster seems to capture the group’s anarchic spirit, proving that age hasn’t dulled their rebel yell.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
The researchers positioned intuitive attunement as something that gets dulled by painful experience and reclaimed through healing.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
-
And that would be a very dull experience.—
Alex Zalben,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
-
And red decorations in urban bowers were more vivid, and the green items duller, than in rural bowers.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
That look-to-local approach can be seen here too, in the faded Turkish rugs on the floors and splashes of modern Turkish design—in particular, bright ikat cushions and throws—in the otherwise simple bedrooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Prune Lightly to Maintain Shape Once the flowers become unattractive, clean up the plant's overall shape by selectively pruning branches and the faded blooms.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The results have been impressive enough from far away, but examined more closely as a blunted, external force, Big Brother has almost always been too literal in horror cinema.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The Sagamore was reduced to ashes twice before its final form was constructed in the 1920s (hopefully the third time’s a charm).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Similarly, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the European Union created regulations that sharply reduced its dependence on natural gas in favor of renewable sources.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The wheat straw was then cut into smaller pieces and pretreated to remove dust and other fine particles, and then bleached.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
-
But beyond these gardens the terrain is dry, trees thin; green after summer rains, but parched and bleached for most of the year.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The national team player posted images on Instagram showcasing the distinctive headphones, featuring large, flat earcups, unique tubular telescoping arms, and an all-new pale pink finish.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Once mounted, the voluptuous nude body stands tall like a mountain against the pale wash of Sotheby’s London gallery.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The other man died from what a police official described as blunt force injuries.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Greta Lee is officially back on team bangs, debuting a blunt new fringe on Thursday at the UK premiere of Toy Story 5 in London.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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