NUMBS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

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

Verb

Key Takeaways Airborne hydrogen sulfide dulls silver, so many pieces need regular cleaning.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026
Oversaturating floors can result in mold or mildew growth, lifting, warping, or swelling, while the soap can also leave behind a residue that dulls the finish, creating a cloudy or streaky appearance.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of dulls

Verb

Automating classification while reserving human review for high-risk cases strengthens governance, improves compliance and reduces the risk of sensitive data exposure.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Northrop Grumman slashes overall weight and reduces total part counts, manufacturing combat-ready autonomous jets at a fraction of typical costs.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

When the quantum of color deposited by the brush diminishes, and grows lighter, its essence as paint applied by brush reveals itself.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The impressive density of this overload, which embraces the possibilities of relatively new technology to find novel ways to deliver and compress context, diminishes as Carter is drawn to Japan by Izumi Adachi (Kiko Mizuhara).

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 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

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
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

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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Numbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of numbs

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes