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
• restrained
• deadpan
• detached
• cold
• mysterious
• still
• static
• wooden
• vacuous
• vapid
• apathetic
• unresponsive
• indifferent
• inscrutable
• reserved
• cool
• aloof
• impenetrable
• reticent
• phlegmatic
• taciturn

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
• impassive
• unemotional
• detached
• phlegmatic
• empty
• cold
• stolid
• impassible
• dry
• undemonstrative
• affectless
• enigmatic
• unmoved
• collected
• cold-blooded
• blank
• reserved
• composed
• dispassionate
• vacant
• expressionless
• cool
• wooden
• unresponsive
• indifferent
• inexpressive
• aloof
• imperturbable
• impersonal
• unflappable
• unconcerned
• unfeeling
• thoughtless
• deadpan
• taciturn
• bloodless
• pitiless
• reticent
• unsentimental
• inscrutable
• objective
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of numb

Adjective

At one point in the swim, her hand went directly into a compass jellyfish, leaving it numb for a while. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026

On one Anderson sack late in the first quarter, Allen kicked his feet in agony and later revealed the hit made his left arm go numb. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

But the sailors were too numbed with the cold to attempt going forward to secure it. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Who would’ve thought, for example, that Wallace was constantly hiding behind the lens of his trusty camera as a way to numb himself to the horrors of the world? — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026