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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of numb
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
So, like, the top of my ass, that skin part is numb.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Some people numb their pain with substances.
—Jane Marie Chen, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Penile-inversion surgery is rumored to render the tissue numb.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025
So, like, the top of my ass, that skin part is numb.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
The waters off the coast of Cape Town were crystal clear and a face-numbing 52 degrees.
—Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Some people numb their pain with substances.
—Jane Marie Chen, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The court found Kurashov guilty of firing on the Ukrainian soldier at point blank range during an attack in the vicinity of the village of Pryiutne in the Zaporizhzhia region on January 6, 2024.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Similarly, in the second move, the number eight from the top row is moved down, creating a blank square in the middle of the top row.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Hard not to call to mind the heavily creased face of a Native American man (who turned out to be Italian) in that public service ad against littering—hair in braids, a tear running down his stoic cheek.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The shades, stoic facial expressions and ensembles?—
Diana Pearl,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But that did little to dull the vitriol targeting the military’s top lawyer.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Nine Ukrainian regions came under attack, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the latest assault coming as many were asleep.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Taken to a spiritual realm, the children remain asleep and safe from the extremists’ influence.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Past Future Continuous shifts focus from the act of leaving to the homes and land left behind — places that grow emptier over time.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The 2026 fest will improve upon this system by swapping out all tanks prior to guest arrival, so each system is fresh and empty at the start of the event.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With over 20 years of experience, Melissa has helped families transform chaos into calm using compassion, clarity, and proven behavioral strategies.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Peak season is over, meaning the crowds are gone, the water feels calmer, the restaurants are more enjoyable, and the sunsets last just a little bit longer.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share