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
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
Yes, the glossy aesthetic occasionally dulls the impact of the director’s more tactile sensibilities, and a few script contrivances stretch believability.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Yes, the glossy aesthetic occasionally dulls the impact of the director’s more tactile sensibilities, and a few script contrivances stretch believability.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulls
Verb
-
This single habit dramatically reduces soap scum, the same buildup that makes tile floors dangerously slippery.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This reduces their effectiveness, slowing down your machine and causing long-term damage.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As his memory fades, Caroline must navigate the unimaginable.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
However, as the smell fades over time, so will its effectiveness in warding off mice.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 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
-
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 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
-
Another key element is the slouchy shoulder bag that brightens up the outfit without adding more bulk.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Definition softens, dry lips are a constant, volume diminishes, and suddenly your favorite Pillow Talk Lip Liner is migrating and smudging into fine lines.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That inconsistency weakens the institution, erodes public trust, and leaves voters increasingly frustrated with both parties.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The anti-diversity law weakens community expression.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 6 May. 2026.
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