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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn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
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
Over time, your extremities go numb, which indicates the beginning of frostbite.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Angela Haupt, Time, 19 Mar. 2026
Minimal downtime, no numbing required, and results build over time.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Adjective
The roof is a manual Sky Slider design that feels a lot more on-brand than a numb push-button.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
Over time, your extremities go numb, which indicates the beginning of frostbite.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
People with chemical keratitis, as it’s called, are generally treated with numbing drops and need to have their eyes flushed—sometimes for hours—until their pH returns to normal.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 19 Mar. 2026
Minimal downtime, no numbing required, and results build over time.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
Adjective
-
When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The entire thing is a beautifully chaotic blank canvas for Sacramento’s music community to collaborate and mishmash within itself, to forge a platoon of one-off troupes and ramshackle supergroups — check out some prior videos on the event’s Instagram.—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
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Her blank face fills the screen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, when a stoic drifter named Herald Loomis (Joshua Boone) and his young daughter, Zonia (Savannah Commodore) arrive on their doorstep, the Holly’s world turns on its axis.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
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No manuscript of American history is complete without footnotes to its bookstores, and many of them have been much more than stoic spectators to the country’s evolution.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Algae, salt deposits, moss, and mineral stains can dull your favorite terracotta pots.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Others report their taste buds feeling dulled.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
He was advised to turn back along the same route and keep moving to avoid falling asleep through hypothermia.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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In the official teaser, Lowen is slinking around the Crawford family house wearing a silk robe while Verity is fast asleep in bed.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s been maddening to watch a lineup full of high-end hitters come up empty night after night in April, a month that has felt as long as about three.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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After sitting empty since Sting and Styler moved out, per the New York Post, the stylish spread has just returned to the market for $45 million, a whopping $5 million less than the current owner paid.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lead with calm confidence, but keep your claims grounded.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
His elite pass protection and calm feet mean he can be trusted immediately to keep the quarterback clean on passing downs, while also providing a high-effort presence on special teams.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Connecticut’s Climate Progress report, required every three years by the state legislature, shows how Connecticut is continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Companies are taking steps to reduce their plastic consumption, according to Melissa Bastos, Cotton Incorporated director of corporate strategy and insights.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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