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
None of that dulls the original game, nor its portrayal of Alma.
—
Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The result can be a culture that restores its edge daily, rather than one that dulls until a major transformation is forced.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Its influence ricocheted through decades of homages, from Madonna to Ryan Gosling, proof that a perfect jewel-box tableau never dulls.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The result can be a culture that restores its edge daily, rather than one that dulls until a major transformation is forced.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulls
Verb
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This enables continuous charging and reduces the need for large onboard batteries.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Estevie’s voice resonates throughout that lush blend of cumbia-pop, and leaves an impression that lingers long after the music fades.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Like all sugar rushes, the high fades fast and you’re left with a stomachache.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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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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
-
The colorful evergreen foliage provides a warm winter welcome in porch planters and brightens patio plantings all year long.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
-
At the cocktail bar Muamba, owner Yvens Penna brightens a classic margarita with homemade chicória soda crafted from a pungent local herb that tastes like cilantro on steroids.—
Michael Snyder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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When two parties are aware of a major issue that diminishes an asset and do not inform the third party of that asset, that’s strong grounds for a lawsuit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2, a degenerative disease that gradually weakens muscles.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Unlike some of the burger chain’s peers, Cramer said McDonald’s has immense scale and strength and is making an effort to lower prices as consumer spending weakens.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While the group cheers and parties at a bar, a news report on the TV dampens the mood.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dulls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulls. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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