dulled 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in dull
lacking a surface luster or gloss it might be best to paint the exposed pipes with a dulled enamel

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2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color the dulled colors and brownish tones are characteristic of this painter's works

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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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dulled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dull
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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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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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
Verb
Ampere’s research appeared to suggest that the influx of romance book adaptations and romance drama in general has dulled the appetite for reality shows about love. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 June 2026 Bitch, despite being created with Reed in tandem with My Face Hurts From Smiling, leans more pop and R&B with lyrics that may have been dulled down for palatability. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 But even the most stylish setup can be dulled by dingy concrete. — Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
  1. dull
  2. faded
  3. blunted
  4. reduced
  5. bleached
  6. matte
  7. pale
  8. blunt
Adjective
  • As Vanity Fair’s Chris Smith wrote in his May bombshell profile of LSU’s firestarter head football coach, The Lane Kiffin Show is never dull.
    — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
  • Photography Cookbooks and diet books tend to be dull without any photos.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Eric_Lynxweiler | Courtesy of Latinos in Heritage Conservation The Silver Platter, with its faded crimson awning along a stretch in Los Angeles’ Westlake District, doesn’t look like much from the outside.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The faded fabric, buttery-soft cotton, and contrast-trim neckline lend it a vintage vibe that won’t look out of place when paired with more contemporary pieces.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 June 2026
Definition of faded
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
Definition of blunted
Verb
  • Graphics will reportedly be reduced, all of which could affect the quality of broadcasts.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • After a two-month trial, Bowman instructed jurors to deliberate on second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges — reduced from first-degree murder charges by prosecutors last week.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 21, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • When Billie gets there, the stables have been washed down and bleached to be rid of Noah’s blood.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Light, almost bleached, jeans and white denim are having a main-character moment in 2026.
    — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 9 July 2026
Definition of bleached
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
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • Indeed, the seeds are extremely small and can range in color from blue-black to gray, white or pale yellow, depending on the variety.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • Bo grinned, staring at the pale-blue walls of the large classroom.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • But their blunt ends, which did not release upon impact, were even more deadly.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Cecchetto died two days later from blunt force facial trauma.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Definition of blunt

Browse Nearby Words

dullards
dulled
dulling
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Cite this Entry

“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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