1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
an utterly numbing class in statistics
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of numbing
Momo Chang, SFChronicle.com, 26 June 2020
Case and death numbers remain stuck on a numbing, tragic plateau that is tilting only slightly downward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2020
Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
As a garnish, a grapefruit peel, adding a slightly numbing textured bitterness to the experience, ties the whole thing together.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numbing
Adjective
While traditional malatang broth is made from bone broth and is spicy and numbing, several places also offer vegetarian broths and non-spicy broths.
—Momo Chang, SFChronicle.com, 26 June 2020
Case and death numbers remain stuck on a numbing, tragic plateau that is tilting only slightly downward.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2020
Verb
The pins went through the scalp and were docked on the surface of her skull with numbing cream.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
As a garnish, a grapefruit peel, adding a slightly numbing textured bitterness to the experience, ties the whole thing together.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numbing
Adjective
-
Despite looking like a fighter pilot who could win a game of dogfight football, Colin isn’t framed as a temptation for Marissa, and a lack of sexy secrets proves to be a recurring blind spot for the series, even if those two have plenty of other skeletons in their massive, boring closets.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
-
All this after Fern just wanted to renovate her boring bookseller life by starting over next to her orc pal Viv’s coffee shop!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, freezing temperatures are invading the Northeast and the South.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
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As someone who always brings an extra jacket to the movies, the theater, coffee shops, and even summer dinners—just in case the evening turns cool—a freezing-cold airplane is one of my biggest travel pet peeves.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The initiative’s foundation addresses the problem of inconsistent and burdensome reporting by engaging the industry to define an optional (and non-exhaustive) questionnaire aimed at strengthening data quality and consistency while significantly reducing the administrative burden on suppliers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As that number decreases, exercises such as running and cycling will feel more challenging and tiring, and your endurance may decline as well.—
Alyssa Ages,
Outside,
23 Oct. 2025
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But Braun was solid before tiring and working through injuries that affected him on the ball over the final month last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Add in snow piles that narrow the shoulders, chain controls, and icy roads, and delays are just part of the Tahoe travel experience.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The look is finished off with an icy translucent rubber outsole.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Warm kitchens speed up staling and fat oxidation, dulling flavors faster.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After playing a career-best game to tip off the season, pouring in 31 points against Indiana State, Bradford has gone cold from beyond the arc in the past two games, not attempting a three against Tennessee Tech and missing all five of his attempts on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
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To balance their regular caseload, Landrum said Moore police detectives passed the baton to the US Marshals, who specialized in tracking criminals across state lines and solving cold cases.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Now, Sora 2 might just be another online fad, a reality-deadening distraction that people will soon tire of.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Thin sound deadening The Enabling Technology prize went to CompositeEdge GmbH and ATA Mute BV for a new kind of sound deadening.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbing. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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