1
as in dull
lacking a surface luster or gloss
it might be best to paint the exposed pipes with a dulled enamel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
the dulled colors and brownish tones are characteristic of this painter's works
Synonyms & Similar Words
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3
as in blunted
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dulled blade of a knife that had been stored in a drawer full of miscellaneous utensils
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reduced
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dulled
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
As the decades passed on, neither its sentiment nor its shine ever dulled.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the avalanche of artificial intelligence has dulled our capacity to be amazed by space technology.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Though there was a thrilling edge to their early work—the lightning-in-a-bottle sample drill of Polo Perks and Moh Baretta, that spine-tingling Pasto Flocco run—it’s been dulled a bit in favor of ambling minimalism.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the vibe inside the arena has been dulled, with bad basketball, little star power and no effervescent Curry.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
Because Uncle Sam has dulled the economic incentive to create the next breakthrough.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
But if the entire area was ceded back to the District of Columbia, the electoral advantage in the new districts would be dulled and new districts would be drawn in light of the state’s shrunken footprint.
—Jesse Bedayn, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Leo wants expression, courage, recognition and creative risk, and so, this first quarter moon may expose where routine has dulled your spark or where stubbornness is blocking growth.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
As the decades passed on, neither its sentiment nor its shine ever dulled.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the avalanche of artificial intelligence has dulled our capacity to be amazed by space technology.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Though there was a thrilling edge to their early work—the lightning-in-a-bottle sample drill of Polo Perks and Moh Baretta, that spine-tingling Pasto Flocco run—it’s been dulled a bit in favor of ambling minimalism.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
In recent weeks, the vibe inside the arena has been dulled, with bad basketball, little star power and no effervescent Curry.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dulled
Adjective
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The same study notes that the hormonal cascade may even dull pain by activating peripheral nerves and autonomic pathways.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Orientation matters; garlic is planted vertically, with the root (blunted) end of the clove facing down, and the sprout (pointy) end facing up.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Flat, calm but earnest, mildly anxious, blunted, volatile.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But since the war began, traffic has been reduced to a trickle, with just 154 vessels recorded crossing in the entire month of March, according to Kpler data.—
Henrik Pettersson,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While there is no question that KU Med is at fault for failing to disinfect the heater-cooler devices, Johnson said, LivaNova should have ensured that the hospital was strictly following its instructions for use, which would have reduced the risk of bacteria spreading.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, it should be noted that down should not be bleached or washed with fabric softener.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Here, fabrics are scraped, scratched, patched, bleached, ripped and painted to signify the passage of time.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While visiting Malta with Prince Philip in 1951, the late monarch wore a pale purple beaded gown and fur stole.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Raspberries won't ripen after being picked, so be careful not to choose underripe ones that are pale.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lindsay-Abaire’s multidirectional repartee gets added zip from the first-rate cast, especially Margaret Colin as the unapologetically blunt Ruth.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators believe the victim died in 2006 or earlier from blunt force trauma, Tierney said.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dulled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dulled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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