numbing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnə-miŋ How to pronounce numbing (audio)
Definition of numbingnext
1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest an utterly numbing class in statistics

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2
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature the numbing air of that wintry morning

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numbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of numb
as in reducing
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 numbing
Adjective
Now after four years of ongoing horrors in Ukraine, and more than two years of watching slaughter and suffering in Gaza, the latest war filling our feeds is just another numbing form of content, a digital arena in which competing forces try to assert conflicting viewpoints. — Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026 And that can be exhausting, numbing, and overwhelming. — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 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 numbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numbing
  1. boring
  2. freezing
  3. reducing
  4. tiring
  5. icy
  6. dulling
  7. slow
  8. cold
Adjective
  • Infrastructure inspection is exactly the kind of boring but highly practical application that modern airships excel at, Grossman says.
    — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Milwaukee Brewers won what was, ultimately, a bit of a boring World Series in five games.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • The beautiful, bright, and incredibly chic three-story abode leads up to a private roof terrace covered in pines with a freezing plunge pool at its center, and an unassuming wooden door that leads to a private sauna.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Freeze Warning The stronger of the two alerts, this warning calls for sub-freezing temperatures dropping as low as 30 degrees.
    — Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • Gupta estimated that reducing formation time by half or more could lower overall factory electricity use by 10% to 15%.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Slowing or reducing the demand for that subsidy seems appropriate in my view.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of reducing
Adjective
  • Tommy Gemmell, advanced from left-back, provided the equaliser on 63 minutes and with Inter tiring and Celtic still pushing, Chalmers scored the famous winner with six minutes left.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But after a while, the lack of grounding gets tiring, as various supernatural shenanigans appear to be determined more by plot convenience than anything else.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of tiring
Adjective
  • Tennis superstar Serena Williams just updated her look for winter, showing off an icy blond look as her color for the season.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Roads could remain icy through Sunday, so be mindful of driving conditions in the Sierra into early next week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of icy
Verb
  • Extreme weather events, such as drought or heavy rainfall, also stress trees and can trigger them to rapidly protect themselves by more rapidly pulling in the chlorophyll from their leaves, dulling fall colors.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Eyesafe technology cuts blue light without dulling the color, which is easier on your eyes during long work days.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dulling
Adjective
  • The course of Alzheimer’s disease is slightly slower than that of Lewy body dementia, according to Vossel.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The team found that slower charging helped create more uniform, inorganic-rich protective layers, which are important for maintaining stable battery performance.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • And without colder weather, where the temperatures drop and stay below zero, the result will likely be a smaller snowpack.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • How bad the flu season gets each year depends on factors such as the dominant flu strain, how well the annual vaccine matches it, how many people get vaccinated, tourism levels, and how much cold weather leads to more indoor gatherings.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold

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numbers
numbing
numbness
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Cite this Entry

“Numbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbing. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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