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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deadening
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dulling
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
In parts of Southeast Asia, totality will begin as the full moon rises, dulling the effect.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Soaring temperatures and drought also sends trees into stress, dulling the experience of fall foliage.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 2 Sep. 2025
Many parents struggle with how to support adult children without dulling their drive or setting unrealistic expectations.
—Bob Sponseller, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
While opioids primarily work by dulling sensations in the brain, the new drug, in fifty milligram oral tablets, is reported to reduce pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving a specific sodium channel in the peripheral nervous system, before the pain signals reach the brain.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Astaxanthin protects skin against dulling environmental aggressors but it’s also packed with various antioxidant vitamins (C and E), highly moisturizing squalane, redness-reducing centella asiatica, exfoliating lactic acid and CoQ10, another antioxidant with powerful protective properties.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Together, these ingredients create a gentle, yet powerful, solution that restores shine to stainless steel without dulling its finish.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
In parts of Southeast Asia, totality will begin as the full moon rises, dulling the effect.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Soaring temperatures and drought also sends trees into stress, dulling the experience of fall foliage.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 2 Sep. 2025
Many parents struggle with how to support adult children without dulling their drive or setting unrealistic expectations.
—Bob Sponseller, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
While opioids primarily work by dulling sensations in the brain, the new drug, in fifty milligram oral tablets, is reported to reduce pain by targeting a pain-signaling pathway involving a specific sodium channel in the peripheral nervous system, before the pain signals reach the brain.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Astaxanthin protects skin against dulling environmental aggressors but it’s also packed with various antioxidant vitamins (C and E), highly moisturizing squalane, redness-reducing centella asiatica, exfoliating lactic acid and CoQ10, another antioxidant with powerful protective properties.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 17 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulling
Verb
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The findings have led to the development of potential medical treatments that scientists hope could cure autoimmune diseases, the committee said, as well as providing more effective cancer treatments and reducing complications after stem cell and organ transplants.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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Research has shown the benefits of exercise in mitigating the effects of aging by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For example, coral reefs are bleaching more often and dying due to ocean warming and acidification, undermining fisheries, marine biodiversity and economic sectors such as tourism.—
Lauren Gifford,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The pic also showed off Jennifer Aniston’s money piece highlights, the face-framing way to give yourself a bit of a blonde glow without bleaching your whole head, sort of the way a ring light illuminates you from the front.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Many shutdowns have largely played out over the weekend, blunting the impact, according to the CRFB.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
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That action led the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, to issue a landmark ruling in June blunting the power of judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That combo typically signals bearish pressure is fading and a potential trend shift is forming.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
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Glitter’s dusty shadow, fading into the lower part of the brow bone, brought out the moody hue on the lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Some critics and documentary filmmakers say that mandate is reductive and numbing.—
Michael Powell,
New York Times,
25 Sep. 2022
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Aside from being scientifically fascinating, the special effect of these peppercorns is also a key component of Sichuan cuisine’s greatest gift to the culinary world, a numbing and spicy flavor profile known as málà.—
Chala Tyson Tshitundu,
Bon Appétit,
29 Sep. 2021
Verb
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Now, Sora 2 might just be another online fad, a reality-deadening distraction that people will soon tire of.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Thin sound deadening The Enabling Technology prize went to CompositeEdge GmbH and ATA Mute BV for a new kind of sound deadening.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s a brightening serum to keep your skin glowing long after vacation, a color-protecting shampoo to help maintain your summer highlights, and a gourmand fragrance with notes of sweet vanilla and earthy amber that linger on skin like a warm hug.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025
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The refreshing feel is perfect for depuffing and brightening tired eyes.—
L. Daniela Alvarez,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
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Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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