dulling 1 of 2

adjective

as in deadening

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dulling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dull
1
as in reducing
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 bleaching
to make white or lighter by removing color the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time

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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 dulling
Verb
Extreme weather events, such as drought or heavy rainfall, also stress trees and can trigger them to rapidly protect themselves by more rapidly pulling in the chlorophyll from their leaves, dulling fall colors. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 Eyesafe technology cuts blue light without dulling the color, which is easier on your eyes during long work days. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Sep. 2026 Storing knives loose in a drawer and scrubbing them too zealously creates a fine network of scratches, further dulling the finish. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 To protect himself, however, Trask has created an inhibitor field that de-powers any mutant nearby, dulling Wolverine’s healing power and ferocity. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Here are the cleaning mistakes that could be dulling your hardwood floors’ shine, as well as the simple fixes to restore their finish. — Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026 Your diplomatic touch can set kind boundaries without dulling your warmth. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026 Blurring bamboo silk powders keep shine in check without dulling skin, while camellia seed oil and antioxidant-rich vitamin E help mature complexions look smooth, hydrated, and naturally luminous. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026 The danger is heavy-handed protections for Eskom will suppress wholesale prices, dulling market signals investors need for further investment in the sector, and effectively rebranding the old monopoly. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulling
  1. numbing
  2. reducing
  3. bleaching
  4. anesthetic
  5. blunting
  6. fading
  7. settling
  8. deadening
Adjective
  • Just the unyielding betrayals of the flesh and the numbing sense that none of this had to happen.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Jane Schoenbrun’s latest movie, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, is shocking, emotional, provocative, numbing, warm, witty, and surreal.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of numbing
Verb
  • While serving as a public health official, el Sayed wrote an op-ed in 2019 strongly supporting the Green New Deal, arguing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help improve public health.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • But their research findings could open the door to a new intervention to help corals recover from bleaching events.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers first treated the cotton with sodium dithionite, a reducing agent, before bleaching it with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleaching
Adjective
  • Because of their large size, giraffes are challenging to move and position appropriately for anesthetic procedures.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • Because there is a depersonalized, anesthetic quality to it.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
Definition of anesthetic
Verb
  • In theory, the clearinghouse would monitor the speed of AI growth without blunting the nation’s competitive advantage.
    — John Caruso, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The law is aimed at blunting financial scams that often target older adults, which frequently include prompting victims to withdraw large sums of money at once.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of blunting
Verb
  • The Saints are fading after a strong start, and Tyler Shough is struggling and dealing with a left hand injury.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In the rapidly fading light, a splendid buck muley took half a step forward and looked straight toward me.
    — Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fading
Adjective
  • Dylan’s attorney, Kerry Garvis Wright, countered by saying a non-settling defendant such as Scott is only entitled to an offset for settlement of economic damages.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Individuals who remain in the class and submit valid claims release their rights to sue Cargill or Tyson over the same allegations, but retain any rights against non-settling defendants.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Definition of settling
Verb
  • Inside the cabin, extensive additional sound deadening in the doors, trunk and wheel arches means phone calls and passenger conversations are entirely effortless at highway speeds.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Each presents a group portrait of a handful of disaffected British suburbanites—husbands who resent their deadening jobs, toddlers who whine and interrupt, and, above all, hassled wives subsumed by a crush of household obligations.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of deadening

Browse Nearby Words

dulled
dulling
dullish
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Cite this Entry

“Dulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulling. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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