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

Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of softening

Verb

Chris Costagli, a vice president and food thought leader at NielsenIQ, said high gas prices have worsened Americans’ concerns about affordability, and that's dampening demand for Halloween treats.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
An improved suspension helped, as did the additional sound dampening made possible by its unified construction.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 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

Obialo silences certain layers while modulating others, nestling rhythms like honeycombs.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of modulating

Verb

The comfort arch footbed with XRD® technology also offers support and cushioning to make the new launch one of the brand’s most comfortable offerings within boots.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Using motion sensors and patented algorithms, the belt distinguishes everyday movements from a serious hip-impacting fall and deploys inflatable airbags, cushioning the hips, in less than 90 milliseconds—before the wearer hits the ground.

— Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cushioning

Verb

Research tied to the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health suggests specific brain regions may produce their own testosterone, potentially buffering against drops in blood levels.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
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

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 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obtunding

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes