Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

numb

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of numb

1 lacking in sensation or feeling

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

asleep, benumbed, dead, insensitive, numbed, torpid, unfeeling
Words Related to numb

chilled, nipped

anesthetized, cocainized, deadened, drugged, stupefied

blunted, dulled, obtunded

insensible, senseless, unconscious

inanimate, insensate
Near Antonyms of numb

awake
Antonyms of numb

feeling, sensible, sensitive

2 not expressing any emotion

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

blank, catatonic, deadpan, empty, expressionless, impassive, inexpressive, stolid, vacant
Words Related to numb

dull, vacuous, vague, vapid

enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable, mysterious

motionless, static, still, wooden

reserved, restrained, reticent, taciturn

aloof, apathetic, cold, cool, detached, indifferent, phlegmatic, unresponsive
Near Antonyms of numb

engaged, interested, responsive

active, alive, animated, bright, busy, dynamic, effervescent, energetic, expansive, exuberant, lively, vivacious

eloquent, revealing, revelatory

gestic, gesticulant, gesticulative, gesticulatory, gestural

emotional, melodramatic, theatrical (also theatric), unreserved, unrestrained
Antonyms of numb

demonstrative, expressive

3 not feeling or showing emotion

  • years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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

affectless, apathetic, cold-blooded, emotionless, impassible, impassive, passionless, phlegmatic, stoic (or stoical), stolid, undemonstrative, unemotional
Words Related to numb

cold, cool, dispassionate, unmoved

calm, collected, composed

imperturbable, unflappable

reserved, reticent, taciturn

bland, blank, deadpan, dry, empty, expressionless, inexpressive, stone-faced, straight-faced, vacant, wooden

enigmatic (also enigmatical), impenetrable, inscrutable

aloof, bloodless, detached, indifferent, insensible, unconcerned, unsentimental

impersonal, objective, unresponsive

hard-hearted, pitiless, unfeeling

inconsiderate, thoughtless
Near Antonyms of numb

blazing, burning, fiery, flaming, glowing, red-hot

ardent, enthusiastic, gung ho, warm-blooded, zealous

gushing, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, sentimental

dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic, overemotional, overheated, perfervid

compassionate, responsive, sympathetic

reactive, sensitive
Antonyms of numb

demonstrative, emotional, fervent, fervid, hot-blooded, impassioned, passional, passionate, vehement

numb

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of numb

to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling

  • wait for the medication to numb your mouth
Synonyms of numb

benumb, blunt, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, dull
Words Related to numb

muffle, mute, tone (down)

decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), lower, reduce, subdue

debilitate, enfeeble, weaken

dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane

alleviate, ease, lighten

abate, moderate
Near Antonyms of numb

amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen

animate, arouse, stimulate
Antonyms of numb

sharpen, whet

Learn More about numb

  1. See words that rhyme with numb Dictionary: Definition of numb Medical Dictionary: Definition of numb Spanish Central: Translation of numb Nglish: Translation of numb for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of numb for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up numb? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games