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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
This shift is strangely numbing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.
—Cathy Erway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from what brings you joy.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
As the president delivered the White House briefing, Jackson’s right arm started getting numb.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
While an opioid would’ve been an easy choice, a doctor performed a nerve block instead, numbing the peripheral areas of pain rather than sedating the brain.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
This shift is strangely numbing.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
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
Over the course of two sessions that lasted two hours each, Velez experienced pain that numbing couldn't hide.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
There’s trendy hot pot and face-numbing Sichuan spots, as well as relative newcomers like the excellent Thai spot Zaab Zaab.
—Cathy Erway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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