1
as in reduces
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 fades
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
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Recent Examples of dulls
Using too much detergent can lead to residue buildup in the towel fibers, which traps dirt and dulls the white color over time.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
The only thing that occasionally dulls his pain is opioid use, as the British prison has a thriving drug-trading industry involving a variety of goods and services.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, jet lag dulls the Bolts’ spark in a close battle that ends in a Fins win.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
The result is a misaligned affordability signal that dulls incentives to adapt and crowds out private innovation.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
The only thing that occasionally dulls his pain is opioid use, as the British prison has a thriving drug-trading industry involving a variety of goods and services.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, jet lag dulls the Bolts’ spark in a close battle that ends in a Fins win.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
The result is a misaligned affordability signal that dulls incentives to adapt and crowds out private innovation.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulls
Verb
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Cleaning refrigerator coils helps the appliance run efficiently, extends its life, and reduces your energy bill.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Oct. 2025
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Compared to traditional indigo dyeing, the process consumes 83 percent less water and 32 percent less energy and reduces CO₂ emissions and steam usage.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Aged fades emphasized the fabric’s softness and popular status in closets.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
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William, too, endures as a devoted subject, if one who fades from view in the book’s later sections.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ample natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window on the far wall brightens the entire space.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
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Formula-wise, stabilized retinal is super gentle and minimizes irritation, while ginseng brightens and boosts circulation, and glycerin supports the skin barrier.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Broken heart syndrome, which is more formally known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, occurs when the heart muscle weakens temporarily and causes similar serious health concerns to those of a heart attack.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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That’s a three-year gap that may require retirees to withdraw a much larger percentage of their portfolio to cover, leaving them open to greater risk if the market weakens significantly.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Luckily for them, the Carolina Panthers have even further to go on defense, which dampens the exciting second half of the season produced by QB Bryce Young and the offense.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
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Persistently high unemployment in California not only strains unemployment insurance and social services but also dampens consumer confidence, posing risks to the stability of the nation's largest state economy.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For example, a few kids experience increased hyperactivity or irritability in the first couple of weeks, but that typically subsides within a month.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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The big number arrives, characters emote, high notes ring and ring and ring again … and the aria subsides unmemorably, without leaving the ozone tang that signals a bolt of musical lightning.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dulls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulls. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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