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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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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Jessica Liang, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
The procedure is quick and happens in the eye doctor’s office; typically, a patient’s eyes are numbed before the plug is inserted.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from what brings you joy.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
This Sichuan standby is all about slippery, chewy textures and spicy, tongue-numbing flavors.
—Jessica Liang, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
The procedure is quick and happens in the eye doctor’s office; typically, a patient’s eyes are numbed before the plug is inserted.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
In their place were mostly blank walls and eggshell hues.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
And for several seemingly interminable minutes, POTUS is absent, his video screen in the Situation Room a blank square.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Maybe masculinity still does mean taking care of and protecting your partner, being the breadwinner and remaining stoic all the same.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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During his first postgame press conference at UNC, Bill Belichick maintained the stoic demeanor that became synonymous with his lengthy run with the New England Patriots.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even when the Dodgers find a glimmer, it has been dulled rather quickly.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This etching makes a countertop easily stain and dulls the surface.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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Alessandro Michele debuted Valentino’s resort 2026 collection as an assortment of dreamscape portraits featuring models playing guitar, applying makeup or asleep in bed.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Erik Thommy could not get to the rebound in time to take advantage of an empty net, and his shot was blocked by a defender out for a corner kick.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
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What To Know On the night of August 22, Zarutska boarded a Lynx Blue Line train and sat in an empty two-person seat.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hill stayed calm, recovering from the blunder and finding an open lane for an 80-yard touchdown.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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All of these things can soften poop and move it through your system more smoothly—which helps keep those nearby blood vessels calm and cool.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Made with prebiotic oat to soothe irritation and support the skin barrier, the gentle cream also has feverfew extract, which is packed with antioxidants that reduce redness and further calm irritation.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
4 Sep. 2025
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Funding used in high school for more than 29 credit hours will reduce scholarship eligibility after high school by one year, and more than 59 credit hours will reduce eligibility by two years.—
Edward McKinnon,
Arkansas Online,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Not at all motionless essence, but endless motion.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
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The video, which bears a watermark suggesting it was livestreamed on the video platform Kick, showed Jackson straddling Smith before repeatedly punching him in the face and the side of his head, even when Smith was lying motionless.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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