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
  • Detergent, minerals, and everyday grime can cling to the fibers, creating a film that dulls their appearance.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Over time, these harsh or oily formulas leave behind residue that dulls the shine and attracts dirt, making your floors look cloudy instead of clean.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of dulls
Verb
  • At the center, a Geometric CNC Fuller visually reduces the mass of the blade while reinforcing Razorbill's distinctive multi-faceted character.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The powertrain also recaptures waste energy; the ThermAssist heat management system boosts range by 7 percent and reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the car by 40 percent.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 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
  • Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Once the journey time increases, the value proposition diminishes and the project is less likely to succeed.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of diminishes
Verb
  • 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
  • And that success blunts the effectiveness of what the Iranians are trying to do at the Strait of Hormuz.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of blunts
Verb
  • Even if Korea can maintain 2% economic growth over the next two decades, consumption growth gradually weakens and eventually turns negative, according to Goldman’s long-term modeling.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • As that frozen ground warms and ice inside thaws, the cement weakens, and slopes that stood for thousands of years can lose their grip.
    — Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • An internal polymer maximizes energy transfer and dampens vibration – making shots feel soft and powerful, while soaring high and tight.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • That pillowy feeling is thanks to their dreamstrike+ foam, which absorbs shock and dampens the impact of each step—especially important when walking on unforgiving surfaces, like cobblestones or concrete.
    — Shannon Bauer, InStyle, 28 June 2026
Definition of dampens
Verb
  • Still, the entire curve has shifted lower as volatility generally subsides.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When the storm subsides, the Pogues use Kiara’s coordinates and Pope’s calculations to return to the water and search for the gold.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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