NUMB Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

numb 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnəm

Definition of numb

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

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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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not feeling or showing emotion years of physical and emotional abuse had rendered the woman numb and withdrawn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

When the old man dies, her numb reaction appears caught between grief and relief, though her two adult sons show little understanding of her emotional state. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful. — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Verb

News Channel 5 similarly reported that she was erroneously given potassium in place of numbing medication. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026 The oil is mixed with garlic and soy sauce that’s been reduced with scallions and brown sugar, forming a salty-sweet elixir that delivers lip-numbing but not face-melting heat. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 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

Definition of numbed

Adjective

More than 17 of the 26 pages provided were either blank or completely redacted, with large black boxes covering entire messages rather than specific pieces of sensitive information.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Eligible military and overseas voters can receive blank ballots by mail, email or fax.

— Sergio Candido, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

Historically, being a strong leader meant being invulnerable and stoic—showing no signs of weakness.

— Krishna Savani, Harvard Business Review, 12 Oct. 2026
After the blinding start to a decisive Game 3 against the Las Vegas Aces, after the crawl through quicksand for the rest of it, after the bloody lip and a stoic walk off the floor while cannons spit celebratory smoke into the air.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of stoic

Verb

The primary effects generally wear off in less than an hour, but a person’s senses may remain dulled and their judgment and coordination impaired for several hours afterward.

— Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of dull

Adjective

The only reason to think this may be a game is if the Cowboys are asleep, and Jalon Daniels has some success running the ball.

— Mac Engel October 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
Chidgasornpongse crystallizes that cosmic doom further when Grandma Saluay falls half-asleep or stares out the van window, her mind drifting into the ether.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of asleep

Adjective

Clear skies and calm winds will help temperatures drop into the mid- to upper 30s by early Saturday, forecasters said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Methanol masers have previously been detected in planet-forming disks around turbulent high-mass protostars, but COMPASS’ observations are the first detection of them around calmer lower-mass protostars.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of calm

Verb

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

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nulls

numb

numbed

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Style

“Numb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numb. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of numb

adjective

verb

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