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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
By now, Americans have gone numb to the ridiculous statements of the president of the United States.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Steven Sosna, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Best foot spas The vibrations from this spa are gentle enough not to numb your feet but strong enough to still relax them.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
For her, the GLP-1 medication didn’t moderate so much as agitate and numb.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
By now, Americans have gone numb to the ridiculous statements of the president of the United States.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Blast of Arctic cold on Saturday The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has upgraded Saturday to a First Alert Weather Day for strong, powerful wind gusts, numbing temperatures, and dangerously low wind-chills.
—Steven Sosna, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Best foot spas The vibrations from this spa are gentle enough not to numb your feet but strong enough to still relax them.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
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
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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
Adjective
-
The backs are mostly blank except for a player name and card number.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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And when there was no space left in the hallway, large, blank canvases were hung in the kitchen to make room for more.—
Maddy Keyes,
The Frontier,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Veterinarian Nick Trout treats, and fails, stoic Maverick.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Sure, Gyeong-nam is outwardly stoic and hard to read, but his tsundere trajectory and the office romance setting of his romance with Mi-rae are their own polished tropes.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Protect your table’s shine and clarity by avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive scrubbing tools that cause tiny scratches, which dull the glass over time.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cold water, on the other hand, is said to dull this fire and slow digestion and should be avoided.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While the main areas can be dramatic and flashy with the disco balls, string lights, and bold colors, the rooms are light and serene—the perfect places to unwind and fall blissfully asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Since many hotels usually have a couple pillows of different firmness levels on a bed, falling and staying asleep won’t be a fever dream no matter your sleeping position.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are some players in the NBA who couldn’t hit 50 out of 100 three-pointers in an empty gym, Redick said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Further announcements on Tuesday and in coming days from other cities about other reward increases and offers for fugitives who will fill empty spots on the list are expected, the agency said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This remote Northland beach on the scenic Karikari Peninsula has clear, calm waters and soft white sand.—
Madeline Bilis,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Drawing Room extends into a calm outdoor courtyard fenced off by French doors and covered by a canopy of latticed vines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The thinking, according to airport officials, is to encourage riders to use the yet-to-open Automated People Mover, also known as Skylink, and to reduce vehicle traffic around the terminals.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
From the guest's POV, drinking water is provided in reusable glass bottles, with water refilling stations across the property, and restaurant ingredients are sourced from the nearby partner South Farm and local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint and support the community.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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