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
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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
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3
as in stoic
not feeling or showing emotion
years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn
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as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of numb
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
This includes drugs like lidocaine, which is used to numb pain.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
Breaking, chewing, dissolving, cutting, or crushing the capsules can result in numbing of the mouth and throat and a risk of choking.
—Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
The show has always explored hive-mind delusions, but Season 3 renders its ensemble numb to logic in the face of inexplicable occurrences.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
This includes drugs like lidocaine, which is used to numb pain.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Sometimes training is monotonous and mind numbing.
—Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
Breaking, chewing, dissolving, cutting, or crushing the capsules can result in numbing of the mouth and throat and a risk of choking.
—Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
Rivera climbed into Feliz’s car; threatened, beat, and tased him, and then shot him in the chest point blank.—
Lourdes Rosado,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2025
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His most lucrative title at one point was a blank book—a patented scrapbook of his own invention.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His dad was a stiff-upper-lip kind of guy, and Clint became known as the stoic kid with the sleepy brown eyes.—
Jenni Carlson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Sidhwa, a stoic man with short hair, woke up when the pressure wave from an explosion blew the door open.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The clarity might improve, but the spark—the particular cadence of someone’s thinking, the messy brilliance of their raw insight—can get dulled in translation.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The intentionally half-baked approach to Season 2 foreshadows an overstuffed and potentially controversial third season, the emotional effect of which will be dulled by the likely long hiatus (Season 1 premiered in January 2023).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Scooter Gennett was asleep Saturday night when a buddy called.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Whether Chloe is asleep, in the bath, or being nursed—Milkshake will undoubtedly be nearby.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Streets that typically buzzed with life were empty.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
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Related article Trump was warned of empty shelves and financial turmoil from tariffs and firing Powell.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The evening is expected to be calm and mild with a low of 57.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2025
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The best way to respond to a tantrum is to remain calm, and attempt to distract the child, such as with a change of location or even making a funny face, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The goal of this prescribed burn is to decrease the existing fire hazard and to prevent and reduce the impact of future fires in the area.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Keeping yourself hydrated and reducing your salt intake may also help reduce bloating and help your body rid itself of excess fluid. Types of Creatine Several types of creatine are used in supplements.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Vermont Senator, who was in California for an anti-oligarchy rally earlier in the day, encouraged the crowd to fight for the country, warning of the dire consequences the country faces if people remain apathetic.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
12 Apr. 2025
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Rotations and close-outs often appeared apathetic or simply nonexistent.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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