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 dumb
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
variants
also dulness
as in thickness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
the dullness of the characters in horror movies cannot be overstated
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
Md Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2025
The mostly dull work reminds Mark of his own resilience.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Chris Feil, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Still, that venue-filling sound doesn’t dull the music’s bleeding edge.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
Blood vessels in the brain constrict to conserve fluids, causing dull, throbbing headache pain, typically in the front or back of the head.6
Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) and low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can both disrupt the flow of blood to the brain, contributing to headaches.78
4.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2025
The mostly dull work reminds Mark of his own resilience.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
Cynthia’s gown has some beautiful elements, but the abundant cardboard dulls their effect; like Liza Minnelli, this is a sterile cucu.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 13 June 2025
Still, that venue-filling sound doesn’t dull the music’s bleeding edge.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
Pike's remains were found dismembered, and the medical examiner ruled there was blunt head trauma, but no criminal charges have been filed.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Effortlessly chic and elegant, the French bob is slightly textured and blunt at the ends, which skim just above the top of her shoulders.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The parasites get their names from the larvae, which look and act like screws, boring and twisting into their victim's flesh.—
Jon Brodkin,
ArsTechnica,
25 Aug. 2025
-
In the early episodes, when everyone’s still getting to know each other, are the conversations boring?—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As the largest fire in Florida this year continues to burn in the Everglades, people in South Florida — particularly in Broward County — can expect smoky, hazy skies through the weekend.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Like much of the U.S., Chicago was under a thick hazy blanket of wildfire smoke, creating dangerous conditions for anyone who breathes, but especially for the elderly and children.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 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
-
Cone will display the worn and faded garments at Kingpins Amsterdam.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Apr. 2025
-
There is, also, something compensatory in a regard for faded footstools, thick boots and window curtains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
Its breathable, soft nature allows Savin to sink in without feeling stuck.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Bobby Berk gives the camera a soft smirk while attending At Home with Narwal's summer soiree on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Box Office Mojo reported a slightly different number at $18.0M, but the film still took the top spot during a relatively sleepy box office weekend.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
In the sleepy world of French regional telecommunications, his methods could be shocking.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share