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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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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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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn
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as in to dull
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
wait for the medication to numb your mouth
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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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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
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Recent Examples of numb
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
Relationships often suffer as people withdraw or feel emotionally numb.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Ethan Stone, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022
Aside from being scientifically fascinating, the special effect of these peppercorns is also a key component of Sichuan cuisine’s greatest gift to the culinary world, a numbing and spicy flavor profile known as málà.
—Chala Tyson Tshitundu, Bon Appétit, 29 Sep. 2021
Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
In trauma psychology, emotional numbing is often seen as part of a survival response rather than an adaptive emotional state.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Because the face is numb for a time following surgery, patients don’t feel the sutures in their skin, even as they’re being removed.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
Relationships often suffer as people withdraw or feel emotionally numb.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
After ensuring the donor area is properly numbed, the medical team will remove individual hair grafts one by one with tiny punches.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
Some critics and documentary filmmakers say that mandate is reductive and numbing.
—Michael Powell, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2022
Aside from being scientifically fascinating, the special effect of these peppercorns is also a key component of Sichuan cuisine’s greatest gift to the culinary world, a numbing and spicy flavor profile known as málà.
—Chala Tyson Tshitundu, Bon Appétit, 29 Sep. 2021
Verb
There seems every chance that the atmosphere will be similarly subdued on Sunday, not least because so many Spurs fans are currently gripped by a numbing apathy at the state of their club and have lost patience with Frank.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
In trauma psychology, emotional numbing is often seen as part of a survival response rather than an adaptive emotional state.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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