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
-
As a means of conspicuous consumption the canon is poorly served, but as a destination to explore, as a complicated, contradictory, sometimes boring and often beautiful place, there can be much to be gained through a meander, a perusal, a stroll.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
There are a lot of small, sincere plays that are also very boring.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tropical hibiscus should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below about 55 degrees, while cold-hardy types like Rose of Sharon can tolerate freezing temperatures and overwinter outdoors in zones 5 to 9.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
-
The snow gave way on Saturday to a freezing drizzle, but returned on Sunday and fell through the night.—
Dan Barry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Eventually, after tiring of The Duchess & I, The Duchess & Me and other similar names, the filmmakers decided to go with My Duchess.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
-
Traveling with a heavy bag can make any journey feel longer and more tiring.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Summer, for some, is the perfect excuse to sip icy dirty martinis on a city rooftop.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
14 May 2026
-
There’s been a fierce debate over the past two decades about the status of the distant icy world of Pluto after it was contentiously stripped of its planethood and reclassified as a dwarf planet.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The al fresco dining area is covered with beige tents, dulling the landscape.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
1 May 2026
-
At Source puts seven years of joint practice and mutual magnetism to tape without dulling the dynamic buzz of their live sets.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s the youngest, most freewheeling son’s habit of swilling cold coffee while watching The Gong Show.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Historically, extremely cold temperatures, near absolute zero, were used to put them in a quiet state, which required bulky and expensive systems.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 24 May. 2026.
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