numb 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnəm How to pronounce numb (audio)
Definition of numbnext
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not feeling or showing emotion years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn

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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

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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
Adjective
Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful. — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Then, in late May 1986, Kontras, whose tall, athletic build discloses a lifelong dedication to good health, noticed a swelling on the left side of his back that was numb to the touch. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
The oil is mixed with garlic and soy sauce that’s been reduced with scallions and brown sugar, forming a salty-sweet elixir that delivers lip-numbing but not face-melting heat. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 The company says that, in its experience, many treatments may reduce pain and downtime compared with some conventional approaches, with numbing cream not always required. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
  1. numbed
  2. blank
  3. stoic
  4. dull
  5. asleep
  6. empty
  7. calm
  8. reduce
Adjective
  • When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Definition of numbed
Adjective
  • Steel-frame magnetic systems turn that blank panel into a spice wall, utensil rail or paper towel holder without a single hole in a wall or cabinet.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The simple website contains a page that names the seven defendants in Jane Doe’s suit and contains blank boxes that indicate that photos of them will be uploaded —and potentially pages for the men who are facing accusations.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of blank
Adjective
  • This was about a hundred uniformed men and a few uniformed women, trained to be stoic warriors.
    — Mabel Yiu, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Lizzie and Bridget’s Relationship in Monster The show quickly portrays a dynamic between Lizzie and Bridget, with Bridget’s brash, uninhibited manner drawing out the more reserved and stoic Lizzie.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of stoic
Verb
  • Then there is smell, dulled by our reliance on artificial fragrance; and sound, overwhelmed by notification pings.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Over time, that buildup can actually dull the finish and make the whole room feel less clean, even if everything else is spotless.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • One burns the only copy of her sister’s precious handwritten manuscript; at least two others set houses on fire, one while her unsuspecting parents are still asleep inside.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Before couples give up and split into separate rooms, a growing lineup of snoring solutions is trying to keep both people in the same bed and both people actually asleep.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of asleep
Adjective
  • Large sections of chairs in the hall were empty as delegations filed out in protest of Iranian aggression.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • New Zealand then spent 10 minutes in England's half and appeared to waste it until Du Plessis chased a clearance back to halfway, turned and kicked into empty space and beat everyone to the ball in goal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • The beach is right there for swimming and paddleboarding when the surf is calm, and the trails through the dunes are manageable for kids old enough to walk them without being carried.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Notice what would make the space or situation feel safer, calmer, or more like your own.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of calm
Verb
  • Between announcements, conversations, engine noise, and everything else happening around you, reducing these additional sounds can make a long travel day much more comfortable.
    — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, a 2025 study found that 28 percent of people with telogen effluvium had reduced ferritin levels, while no one in the control group had a deficiency.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reduce

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nulls
numb
numbed
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Cite this Entry

“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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