numbs

verb

present tense third-person singular of numb
as in dulls
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling wait for the medication to numb your mouth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 numbs The slime of some species also numbs an attacker’s tongue, protecting them from predators. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026 This is the type of consistency that numbs fans from their love of the game. — Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026 Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles. — Outside, 10 Dec. 2025 Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater). — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numbs
  1. dulls
  2. reduces
  3. deadens
  4. diminishes
  5. blunts
  6. weakens
  7. dampens
  8. subsides
Verb
  • Monét sings prettily on both duets, but their conventionality dulls her shine.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Key Takeaways Airborne hydrogen sulfide dulls silver, so many pieces need regular cleaning.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of dulls
Verb
  • This reduces the computing work required to serve identical repository data repeatedly.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The iron in lentils can help maintain healthy energy levels by being a component of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which delivers oxygen throughout the body and reduces fatigue.
    — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • Oppressively hot, lie-down-and-take-a-nap hot, hydration-break hot, the kind of hot that deadens feet.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of deadens
Verb
  • For Republicans, a lot rides on whether Tuesday’s balloting substantially diminishes their ranks.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Splitting such communities into multiple districts diminishes their representation in the democratic process.
    — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishes
Verb
  • The opinion blunts a major attack line Democrats have used, especially against Moody and Uthmeier.
    — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But Democrats are celebrating the decision, which blunts some of the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year allowing more coordinated spending between parties and candidates.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of blunts
Verb
  • This molten salt weakens the coating on the silicon panel, allowing the silver wires to peel off intact as pure metal.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t optimize today’s economics in a way that weakens tomorrow’s leadership pipeline.
    — Tim Brackney, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • That’s in no small part because of a strong, brewing El Niño, which typically dampens Atlantic hurricanes with unfavorable wind conditions.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Science Behind The Concept Research indicates that music reduces cortisol levels​, the stress hormone that impairs decision-making and dampens focus.
    — Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of dampens
Verb
  • Chadchart said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials are working to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Ideally, those refugees would remain in human care for years or even decades until the mussel invasion subsides.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of subsides

Browse Nearby Words

numbness
numbs
numerable
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Cite this Entry

“Numbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbs. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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