OBTUNDING Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

obtunding

verb

present participle of obtund

as in baffling

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtunding

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

Inside the cabin, extensive additional sound deadening in the doors, trunk and wheel arches means phone calls and passenger conversations are entirely effortless at highway speeds.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Each presents a group portrait of a handful of disaffected British suburbanites—husbands who resent their deadening jobs, toddlers who whine and interrupt, and, above all, hassled wives subsumed by a crush of household obligations.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of deadening

Verb

In the late 1970s, Giorgio Armani stripped the structure out of the traditional suit, softening its shoulders and loosening its trousers.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Even with used vehicle prices softening slightly, high borrowing costs keep monthly payments out of reach for many prospective buyers.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of softening

Verb

An improved suspension helped, as did the additional sound dampening made possible by its unified construction.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Polls show bipartisan concerns about AI developing too quickly, and high costs for everyday items like gas and groceries are dampening the economic outlook for many Americans.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dampening

Verb

Extreme weather events, such as drought or heavy rainfall, also stress trees and can trigger them to rapidly protect themselves by more rapidly pulling in the chlorophyll from their leaves, dulling fall colors.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Eyesafe technology cuts blue light without dulling the color, which is easier on your eyes during long work days.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of dulling

Verb

In March, the company bought the technology firm Uplight, which utilities can use to free up more power in the grid by subtly modulating their customers’ consumption.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
The throttle mapping in off-road modes made modulating the power delivery very simple, and other than the slightly lower ground clearance, this electric one can go anywhere that any other Range Rover can.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of modulating

Verb

For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Investigators believe Ramirez tightly embraced her daughter during the fall, likely cushioning the baby from the impact, ABC7 NY reported.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of cushioning

Verb

Air pockets trapped between overlapping leaves moderate the soil temperature and slow heat transfer, buffering against the freeze-thaw cycles that heave soil, fracture plant roots and expose beneficial soil microbes to lethal cold.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Remittances, for example, played a major role in buffering poor countries from the dire economic consequences of the COVID pandemic.

— Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of buffering

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.

Browse Nearby Words

obtunded

obtunding

obtunds

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obtunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtunding. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obtunding

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bon vivant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes