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
This etching makes a countertop easily stain and dulls the surface.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 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
-
This not only reinforces clarity, but also reduces the reliance on employees having to scribble notes word for word to decode later.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
And when history is forgotten, respect for it fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But seeing the children in the shelter − along with the Red Cross staff − brightens her spirit.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Stephanie said this brightens the day for herself and Patrick, but also for others who see the animal friends hanging out together.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Aug. 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,
5 Sep. 2025
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Every moment that data remains static in a system diminishes its accuracy and significance.—
Bill Waid,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
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If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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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These double peaks occur when solar activity spikes, subsides, and then returns a few years later.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Fortunately, the issue subsides once the instruments and vocals stack on top.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dulls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulls. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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