numb 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnəm How to pronounce numb (audio)
Definition of numbnext
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not feeling or showing emotion years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn

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numb

2 of 2

verb

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

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 numb
Adjective
All of this is just the most recent step in a journey that started around 13 years ago, when Crews noticed that her toes would go numb during her morning workouts. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 May 2026 How do people care for one another without becoming uncomfortably numb to others’ pain and suffering? — Sean Murphy, The Conversation, 25 June 2026
Verb
Her mother remarried, and at the advice of her doctor, began drinking to numb the pain. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 Burrowing into the past with our phones, streaming the familiar at the expense of the new, is one method people use to numb themselves to the present. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for numb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numb
  1. numbed
  2. blank
  3. stoic
  4. dull
  5. asleep
  6. empty
  7. calm
  8. reduce
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
Definition of numbed
Adjective
  • The computer sat in a corner of the living room, next to his record player, where my brother and I would make mixtapes off his vinyl, using a boombox and blank cassettes.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Regina asks point blank why Louis keeps coming to see her, and Louis’ honest.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of blank
Adjective
  • The most remarkable performance in the film, however, may be that of real-life counselor Annette Deao, whose firm hand and sympathetic guidance lend Union County its stoic nature.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Vladimir Petković, the usually stoic 62-year-old coach of Algeria, said he got goosebumps from the way Lawrence has treated his team.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
Definition of stoic
Verb
  • That doesn’t do anything to dull the impact of Haaland’s collection, though.
    — Teddy Brown, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Ampere’s research appeared to suggest that the influx of romance book adaptations and romance drama in general has dulled the appetite for reality shows about love.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Ed Lomena, the attorney representing the pilot — who asked not to be identified by name for fear of job repercussions — says his client was asleep when the creatures entered the room.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • His attorney, Ed Lowena, said his client was asleep when the disturbance began.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of asleep
Adjective
  • Rhaenyra’s first shock as queen is learning of her empty coffers.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • At least one tanker that has sat waiting empty for months near South Africa is already heading towards Hormuz.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of empty
Adjective
  • Its weightless-yet-revitalizing feel is thanks to moisturizing squalane, Japanese lemon balm and sunflower seed wax, which calm inflammation, improve the skin barrier, and lock in hydration.
    — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • One of the most consistent findings in stress physiology is that movement can be the fastest route to a calmer nervous system.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of calm
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of reduce

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Cite this Entry

“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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