1
as in matte
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
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 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
Even when the Dodgers find a glimmer, it has been dulled rather quickly.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 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
-
This Lulus bag is primarily matte and clean, with just a tinge of silver on the top handle and cutesy bow.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
-
To get this result, Dempsey recommends the Dior Addict Lip Tint for its transfer-proof, semi-matte finish.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The 9th-century monastery rises from the plateau—its stone walls etched with faded medieval frescoes of apostles and Last Judgement scenes.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Its faded design lends it a vintage look — without the wear.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The shift has blunted the impact of Toronto’s once-potent People’s Choice Award, a prize long seen as an awards-season springboard.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
-
A week later, apart from during a bright opening quarter of an hour when Cunha was unlucky not to open the scoring, Amorim’s side were otherwise blunted by Fulham.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The coral, now bleached, is alive, but slowly starving.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The only thing not bleached was, luckily, his face.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Formed as clusters of pale purple crystal glass, the original chandelier used to adorn the entrance to the banquet hall in the Main Building.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
At the corner of Central Avenue and Reserve Street stands a pale yellow basin ringed with silver taps.—
Caroline Rogers,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yacobi’s defense attorney, however, countered with the findings of a forensic pathologist who said Violet died from blunt force trauma consistent with a fall from a second-story balcony.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The coroner listed her cause of death as traumatic blunt force injuries and the manner of death as accidental.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Citing economic pressures, the museum reduced its staff earlier this year, with a total of eight positions affected either by layoffs or a reduction in pay and benefits.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Dementia risk could be dramatically reduced with one common health intervention, a study finds.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chorizo, shrimp, clams, and corn soak in a rich beer-and-butter broth, brightened with lemon and parsley to deliver all the flavor of a hands-on boil without the mess.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
-
There’s much, much more to the culture, of course, and there are positive and negative associations with ultras around Germany and beyond, but this was another occasion brightened by their work.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share