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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of numb
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Over time, this reliance can exacerbate feelings of isolation and even numb our capacity for compassion and connection.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Chicago Cafe is offering prospective buyers eight months of free rent to numb the sting of remodeling.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
So her face just smiles, tho’ her heart is growing numb.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Over time, this reliance can exacerbate feelings of isolation and even numb our capacity for compassion and connection.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
Atom and Claudette with recognizable humanity, the film’s artistry turns them into ciphers and symbols of the numbing effects of ethnic conflict.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
Chicago Cafe is offering prospective buyers eight months of free rent to numb the sting of remodeling.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
Going to Naples with a ‘blank canvas’ Styler has long had a relationship with Italy, having acted in three films in the country in the 1980s and giving birth to her third child, Eliot, in Pisa in 1990.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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Fraser’s doofus-y blank face essentially requires his co-stars to do all the work and, uh … ain’t no way Ford’s working that hard.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Silence appears to be a natural response to Shula (a stoic but trembling Susan Chardy).—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2025
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But that strife has hardened her, and the woman holding the gun this time is more stoic about her kill.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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White was known for her wry smile and biting humor, which, even in her older years, never dulled our tamed.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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Dust and grime can quickly dull the light streaming in, so a good cleaning routine can make all the difference.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The officers noted minimal damage in the apartment and said that the children were asleep, per the outlet. Ariz.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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The 55-year-old victim was asleep in her bed in her apartment on Purdy St. near Metropolitan Ave.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hide your money anywhere but your shoe; buy a solo car; don’t wander any empty train platforms.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
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Built in 1917 as a grand hostelry that drew a who’s-who list of visitors in its heyday, it was scheduled for renovation after sitting empty for 15 years.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Both drivers have been relatively calm in the past, but that composure seemed to unravel today.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The one child was screaming and running up and down, and the other child was really calm and quiet.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The venue renovations have significantly increased hospitality and premium offerings with new pubs, clubs, restaurants and seating, while reducing the number of suites from 70 to 40.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
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Or has your life together reduced him to, as in your letter, a list of maddening attributes?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The issue extends to Mio, too, whose quips or poorly timed retorts to Zoe’s dialogue don’t really align with her generally apathetic persona.—
Kyle Wilson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
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Some reported feeling more apathetic rather than angry at Spurs’ past two home games: a 6-3 defeat by Liverpool just before Christmas that should have been even more lop-sided and Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers where Spurs conceded an 87th-minute equaliser.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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