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
Absent the friction of putting thoughts into language, thinking dulls.
—
Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Roasting the root veggie dulls their spiciness and brings out their natural sweetness, so much so, the technique might just convert some radish haters.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Despite its stellar cast, the cumbersome plot dulls the comedic beats that would otherwise be razor-sharp.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
After months of cold weather, your windows are likely coated with a layer of grime that dulls your view and makes even the brightest day feel a little gray.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The blade is made of 440A stainless steel, which is reasonably durable for lighter use, but dulls relatively fast and is softer overall.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
The common expectation is that loss dulls over time, that the sharp edges round off.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
His muscles waste, his mind dulls, his body collapses inward until only a voice remains, thin and disembodied.
—Gilberto Lopes, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
The repetition dulls whatever voltage the pairing once carried.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Roasting the root veggie dulls their spiciness and brings out their natural sweetness, so much so, the technique might just convert some radish haters.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Despite its stellar cast, the cumbersome plot dulls the comedic beats that would otherwise be razor-sharp.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
After months of cold weather, your windows are likely coated with a layer of grime that dulls your view and makes even the brightest day feel a little gray.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
The blade is made of 440A stainless steel, which is reasonably durable for lighter use, but dulls relatively fast and is softer overall.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
The common expectation is that loss dulls over time, that the sharp edges round off.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
His muscles waste, his mind dulls, his body collapses inward until only a voice remains, thin and disembodied.
—Gilberto Lopes, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
The repetition dulls whatever voltage the pairing once carried.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulls
Verb
-
The system enables closed-loop recycling, which extends material life cycles and reduces cotton emissions and pollution.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
-
Oatmeal's beta-glucan fiber helps curb hunger, supports weight loss, and reduces harmful visceral fat.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Ducks’ top line fades The Ducks’ top line of Leo Carlsson centering Chris Kreider and Troy Terry had a quiet ending to the series after a very productive opening round against Edmonton.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the type of consistency that numbs fans from their love of the game.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.—
Outside,
Outside,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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His owner, Hannah Gleason from Oklahoma, told Newsweek that the merle gene isn’t a coloring gene rather than a gene that bleaches the fur and causes lack of pigmentation which can lead to birth defects, blindness, deafness, or sometimes all three.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The hue is deepening into richer, more golden tones, a shift away from the airy butter yellow that still brightens contemporary collections.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Another key element is the slouchy shoulder bag that brightens up the outfit without adding more bulk.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Davis has either tuned out or somehow remained oblivious to any fan sentiment that diminishes the magnitude of his home run because of what unfolded after it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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If the College Football Playoff expands, the urgency of the regular season diminishes by comparison, and in a sport that had, inarguably, the greatest regular season in sports, that's a huge blow.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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But the weakening of that regime weakens the proxies as well.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
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Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club, said the report weakens the case for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts because the labor market remains stable.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The cinematography drains vitality from even its most visually obvious ideas with lighting that blunts the impact of nearly every other department.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
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By this decade, your body has started to naturally lose muscle mass, and putting on new muscle may be more difficult due to anabolic resistance, which blunts the muscle’s ability to respond to external stimuli like exercise and protein.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulls. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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