1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss
a good polish should restore that car's dull finish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
a dull roar from the distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to blunt
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 to bleach
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 dull
Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 17 June 2025
Indie Games Stole the Show at Summer Game Fest 2025
Hacking and shooting would quickly grow dull if there weren't enough gameplay variety.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
These results suggest that the brain regions associated with cognitive control and emotion are deeply involved in mediating our political intensity, with injuries that dull our cognitive control increasing our intensity and injuries that dull our emotions doing the opposite.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
Slim Flip Flop in Happy Thoughts Print (Women’s $50)
Top Flip Flop in Ribbon Rosa (Women’s $50)
Summer isn’t the time for boring silhouettes and dull colors.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 17 June 2025
Indie Games Stole the Show at Summer Game Fest 2025
Hacking and shooting would quickly grow dull if there weren't enough gameplay variety.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
Verb
Even so, that dimmer wattage does little to dull a film that plays like cine-karaoke — and as any mic fiend can attest, the glory in those moments belongs not to the singer, but the song.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
These results suggest that the brain regions associated with cognitive control and emotion are deeply involved in mediating our political intensity, with injuries that dull our cognitive control increasing our intensity and injuries that dull our emotions doing the opposite.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe had died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
25 June 2025
-
Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, one of blunt force trauma, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman told Judge Kimberly Menninger during Monday’s hearing, drawing gasps from the owners in the courtroom gallery.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is worlds away from that boring deli chicken sandwich, while still being easy enough to whip up on the busiest of days.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
The contract’s scope of work includes the single bore tunnel, station entrances and exits, the excavation of underground stations and the procurement of a tunnel boring machine.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The legal basis for Trump’s continued extensions is hazy at best.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
-
The recent announcement of a somewhat hazy deal suggests that the administration also failed to consider who, to borrow a fashionable metaphor, holds which cards.—
The Editors,
National Review,
12 June 2025
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
-
Staining not only revives faded wood but also helps protect it from sun, moisture and insects.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
-
Select a faded flower and follow the stem down, cutting it 12 inches or more below the bloom, deep into the plant to encourage more long stems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Mexican men were dismissed as violent Panchos and stupid Pedros.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
-
There’s more stupid romance around harder substances but few chemicals are more hazardous to ambition than THC.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Pottery Barn Airy Cotton Duvet Cover Crafted from 100 percent cotton, this 200-thread count duvet cover is breathable, low-maintenance, soft, and suitable for year-round use.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
26 June 2025
-
That includes things like mapping the profiles of people who could make future leaders, prioritizing growth opportunities for them, and focusing on cultivating softer people skills among this group, along with technical expertise.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.—
Clea Haran,
Parents,
23 June 2025
-
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share