1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
an utterly numbing class in statistics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature
the numbing air of that wintry morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reducing
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of numbing
Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2025
Some critics and documentary filmmakers say that mandate is reductive and numbing.
—Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022
Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for numbing
Adjective
Clove water contains compounds with mild numbing and anti-inflammatory effects.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2025
Some critics and documentary filmmakers say that mandate is reductive and numbing.
—Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022
Verb
The 25-minute, full-face treatment involves numbing and is highly tolerable, with one to two days of mild redness.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for numbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numbing
Adjective
-
If your summer wardrobe is feeling a bit boring or outdated, don’t fret — Amazon just added tons of new styles to its sale section, and my top picks are all going for $10 or less.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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Finally, the institution must be financially boring.—
Christos Korgan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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For millennia, glacial ice and freezing temperatures protected Ötzi’s body — and microbes — from degradation and decay.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Scientists found that some yeast species capable of breaking down phenol, a chemical used to disinfect the mummy after its discovery, have increased over time despite the freezing temperatures.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The price tag comes from the California State Auditor’s report that was issued last fall, which found that maintaining similar telework policies could potentially save $225 million annually by reducing the government’s office space footprint.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
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An April 2026 analysis identified 446 hospitals across 44 states at high risk of closing or reducing services because of Medicaid funding cuts.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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The longtime Florida coach swapped a tiring McDonald for Russell Sandefer with one out in the top of the sixth inning.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
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By combining both the heated air flow of a blow dryer and a round brush in a single tool, this product is much simpler and less tiring to use than working with a separate hair dryer and round brush.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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The actress’ hair was coiffed and pulled back with icy blond wisps to frame her face courtesy of hairstylist Rena Calhoun.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
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That data is crucial to understanding and adapting to climate change and to a vast array of industries on land and at sea like aquaculture, shipping especially through icy waters, coastal tourism, agriculture and even navies, Le Traon said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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At some point, the bracket creep is going to overreach into the point of diminishing marginal returns — dulling regular seasons and perhaps ultimately even eventually interest in the postseasons.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2026
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Glycolic acid removes dead, dulling surface cells to reveal more radiant skin and help vitamin C penetrate skin more effectively.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold cases and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Sam Lambert laid down a safety squeeze, deadening the ball in front of the plate and scoring Balls to trim the lead to 3-1.—
Dave Montrose,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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Another suggestion was requiring special sound-deadening balls, currently available, that lower the decibel levels considerably.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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