as in deadening
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1
as in reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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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
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Recent Examples of dulling
Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Also, don't store beans or ground coffee in the refrigerator—the coffee may absorb moisture and odors, dulling its flavor.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
There are gobs of money to be made selling enterprise software, but dulling the impact of AI is also a useful feint.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Here, in the eyes of the reluctant young scholar, was a vital antidote to the dulling effects of habit and routine.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Older workers face forced plateaus as organizations hesitate to invest in workers over 50, assuming their time is limited, minds are dulling, and retirement is imminent.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Protein shakes are an easy way to bridge the gap between mealtimes without dulling your appetite.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Neuropathic pain comes from damaged or irritated nerves, and gabapentin targets the nerve signaling itself rather than just dulling pain.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
And Chinese exporters diverted flows through Southeast Asia and Mexico, dulling the effects of tariffs even as headline restrictions intensified.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
At Source puts seven years of joint practice and mutual magnetism to tape without dulling the dynamic buzz of their live sets.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
Also, don't store beans or ground coffee in the refrigerator—the coffee may absorb moisture and odors, dulling its flavor.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
There are gobs of money to be made selling enterprise software, but dulling the impact of AI is also a useful feint.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Here, in the eyes of the reluctant young scholar, was a vital antidote to the dulling effects of habit and routine.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Older workers face forced plateaus as organizations hesitate to invest in workers over 50, assuming their time is limited, minds are dulling, and retirement is imminent.
—Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Protein shakes are an easy way to bridge the gap between mealtimes without dulling your appetite.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Neuropathic pain comes from damaged or irritated nerves, and gabapentin targets the nerve signaling itself rather than just dulling pain.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
And Chinese exporters diverted flows through Southeast Asia and Mexico, dulling the effects of tariffs even as headline restrictions intensified.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulling
Verb
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Many gardeners embrace biodiversity in turf areas to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while reducing the inputs needed for lawn maintenance.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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That means potentially shutting down or reducing ice time for some of its biggest stars who are playing through nagging injuries.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The figure skater actually began bleaching her own hair with a paintbrush—and only brought in a professional right before the 2026 Winter Olympics.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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Fierce sunlight bleaching the stones of the old city, blinding the passengers as porters in white kaffiyehs and djellabas stack their portmanteaus on donkey carts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And that can be exhausting, numbing, and overwhelming.—
James Speyer,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Gill, one of Turner's attorneys, said the ruling was a numbing disappointment.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Polhamus, 76, struggled to remember some key conversations and dates, blunting the impact of her testimony.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Produced by Edko Films and directed by Jack Ng, the film is set in 2012 at a fading hostess nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui East.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The American Veterinary Dental College, American Animal Hospital Association and American Animal Hospital Association all support anesthetic pet dentistry as opposed to anesthesia-free pet dental cleanings, also called nonaesthetic dentistry.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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There isn’t much regulation surrounding how ketamine treatments are administered, Dr. Justin Gerstner, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, previously told Fox News Digital, since the drug was initially approved for anesthetic use.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both nationally and in Minnesota , there has been a shift away from intelligent discussion of public policy to endless partisan warfare with a deadening impact on the public.—
Arne Carlson,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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With sisters that specialize in this ilk of blonde, Elizabeth Olsen's beige old money is broken up only by some brightening highlights within her wispy bangs.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
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The nurturing Moon comforts therapeutic Chiron, brightening your 5th House of Amusement — this is your moment to attempt a new way of expressing yourself without judging yourself.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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