benumb

verb

bi-ˈnəm How to pronounce benumb (audio)
Definition of benumbnext
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling a succession of personal tragedies had benumbed him to all grief

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 benumb What’s destructive, and eventually benumbing, is the kitchen-sink clutter of fantasy, reality, wish-fulfillment and glib enchantment. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2019 But her core insight into how even mediocrities can be institutionally benumbed and conscripted into heinous projects remains fertile. — George Prochnik, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benumb
  1. reduce
  2. dull
  3. blunt
  4. numb
  5. diminish
  6. weaken
  7. deaden
  8. subside
Verb
  • This allows Vestas to standardize its construction processes, lower costs, and reduce defects.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and turned soil into the first terrestrial carbon sinks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • None of this ever accumulates much weight, however, since the conflicts are all dulled by the one-note absurdity of the farcical plotting.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 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 dull
Verb
  • The tension of Noah’s character, which Lanterns presents as a parallel to John’s, is immediately blunted by the show’s need to soften and resolve everything left uncertain in John’s.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • At this point, Trump has relatively few options available to blunt new price shocks, the effects of which may be visible not just at the pump but also at the ballot box.
    — Greg Pollock, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of blunt
Verb
  • But the sailors were too numbed with the cold to attempt going forward to secure it.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Who would’ve thought, for example, that Wallace was constantly hiding behind the lens of his trusty camera as a way to numb himself to the horrors of the world?
    — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of numb
Verb
  • When every decision requires multiple levels of authorization, ownership naturally diminishes.
    — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And where does the water come from for these 10 new cities as the West scrambles for what’s left of diminishing supplies?
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Fink said the churn weakens the tie between a worker and an employer.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Other potential causes are higher rates of chronic stress, depression and anxiety, as well as autoimmune diseases, which weaken the immune system, Curhan said.
    — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of weaken
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
  • Too much intention, too much Trying to Say, too much overarching metaphor, can deaden your work.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deaden
Verb
  • When ground ice melts and water drains away, the surface can subside.
    — Ming Xiao, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The months-long battle was bitter and hard fought and enmity within the industry has yet to subside.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of subside

Browse Nearby Words

bents
benumb
benumbed
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Cite this Entry

“Benumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benumb. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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