Synonyms of numb

numb 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnəm 

1

as in numbed

lacking in sensation or feeling

I've been sitting in the same position for too long and now my feet are numb

Synonyms & Similar Words

• numbed
• asleep
• benumbed
• insensitive
• unfeeling
• torpid
• dead
• dulled
• chilled
• unconscious
• drugged
• anesthetized
• deadened
• stupefied
• blunted
• insensate
• senseless
• inanimate
• nipped
• insensible
• obtunded
• cocainized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• feeling
• sensitive
• sensible
• awake

2

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

apparently in shock, he answered the police officer's questions with a numb expression on his face

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blank
• empty
• motionless
• vacant
• catatonic
• expressionless
• dull
• impassive
• vague
• enigmatic
• stolid
• inexpressive
• enigmatical
• restrained
• deadpan
• detached
• cold
• mysterious
• still
• vapid
• static
• vacuous
• wooden
• apathetic
• unresponsive
• indifferent
• inscrutable
• reserved
• aloof
• cool
• impenetrable
• reticent
• phlegmatic
• taciturn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engaged
• interested
• active
• expressive
• alive
• responsive
• busy
• demonstrative
• dynamic
• energetic
• bright
• exuberant
• lively
• expansive
• effervescent
• emotional
• eloquent
• revealing
• animated
• vivacious
• revelatory
• melodramatic
• unrestrained
• gestural
• theatrical
• unreserved
• gestic
• gesticulative
• gesticulatory
• gesticulant
• theatric

3

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stoic
• calm
• apathetic
• emotionless
• bland
• passionless
• stoical
• impassive
• unemotional
• detached
• enigmatical
• phlegmatic
• cold
• empty
• dry
• stolid
• impassible
• undemonstrative
• affectless
• enigmatic
• collected
• unmoved
• reserved
• cold-blooded
• blank
• dispassionate
• composed
• cool
• expressionless
• wooden
• vacant
• unresponsive
• indifferent
• inexpressive
• aloof
• imperturbable
• impersonal
• unflappable
• unconcerned
• unfeeling
• thoughtless
• deadpan
• taciturn
• bloodless
• pitiless
• reticent
• unsentimental
• objective
• inscrutable
• inconsiderate
• impenetrable
• insensible
• stone-faced
• hard-hearted
• straight-faced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotional
• passionate
• vehement
• impassioned
• burning
• fervent
• fervid
• demonstrative
• enthusiastic
• passional
• flaming
• sentimental
• fiery
• zealous
• ardent
• glowing
• blazing
• red-hot
• mushy
• mawkish
• dramatic
• sympathetic
• melodramatic
• sensitive
• responsive
• reactive
• histrionic
• gung ho
• compassionate
• hot-blooded
• maudlin
• warm-blooded
• gushing
• overheated
• perfervid
• overemotional

numb

2 of 2

verb

as in to dull

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling

wait for the medication to numb your mouth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dull
• reduce
• blunt
• deaden
• subside
• benumb
• damp
• diminish
• dampen
• weaken
• subdue
• cauterize
• ease
• decrease
• mute
• tone (down)
• alleviate
• muffle
• lessen
• recede
• let up (on)
• wane
• debilitate
• lighten
• dwindle
• moderate
• lower
• enfeeble
• taper (off)
• abate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sharpen
• enhance
• intensify
• strengthen
• augment
• stimulate
• consolidate
• step up
• deepen
• heighten
• amplify
• arouse
• boost
• magnify
• whet
• beef (up)
• redouble
• animate

Examples of numb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The area where shingles appear may be numb, tingling, or itchy. —Samantha Lauriello, Health, 14 June 2024

Many Americans have even become a bit numb to hearing about data breaches, barely even opening the routine emails and letters that come offering a year of free identity protection. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 15 July 2024

Verb

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will numb your eye before injecting the medicine into your eye with a small needle. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 18 July 2024

Talk to your health care provider about tingling and numbing, or any other new symptoms that may be relevant to your diabetes diagnosis and management. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024