numbing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnə-miŋ How to pronounce numbing (audio)
Definition of numbingnext
1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest an utterly numbing class in statistics

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2
as in freezing
having a low or subnormal temperature the numbing air of that wintry morning

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numbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of numb
as in reducing
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 numbing
Adjective
While traditional malatang broth is made from bone broth and is spicy and numbing, several places also offer vegetarian broths and non-spicy broths. — Momo Chang, SFChronicle.com, 26 June 2020 Because watching people die in Alabama’s execution chamber is numbing, over time. — John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 5 Mar. 2020
Verb
The number of storms crossing the region was numbing. — Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 That’s incredibly refreshing to find in the metal world, especially in direct comparison to all the numbing F-bomb-for-F-bomb’s sake lyrics that would follow with Korn. — Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 7 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for numbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for numbing
  1. boring
  2. freezing
  3. reducing
  4. tiring
  5. icy
  6. cold
  7. deadening
  8. slow
Adjective
  • Then Saturday, Columbus sputtered to a disappointing (and boring) scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo, one of the weakest MLS teams.
    — Andrew King, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Literature that doesn’t contain its own version of this deal—literature that tries to freeze-frame reality instead of transmuting it—is often boring, even alienating.
    — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • The winds, snow, and freezing temperatures — to say nothing of the deadly airborne virus the Earthlings’ immune system can’t handle pre-vaccine — are inhospitable at first.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The roots of potted plants are not well insulated and need protection against freezing temperatures.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • Conversely, by reducing the number of vehicles entering Manhattan, the initiative could dramatically transform the urban commuting experience.
    — Jack Kelly, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.
    — James K. Glassman, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Definition of reducing
Adjective
  • Follow the money: The stock market, for one, is tiring of such shenanigans.
    — Felix Salmon, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In Aurora, voters seem to be tiring of two-term incumbent Republican Richard Irvin, who was the top vote getter but got just 38%.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of tiring
Adjective
  • Her makeup, too, was equally icy, with a metallic silvery-white shadow brushed under her brow as a highlight and dramatic black eyeliner winged all the way out to the outer corner of her brows, plus a pair of light blue-gray contacts enhanced by majorly fluttery, lush lashes.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Dec. 2024
  • White cautioned those traveling north of Indianapolis this weekend, however, should be mindful of potentially snowier, icier road conditions.
    — Christopher Cann, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of icy
Adjective
  • It’s designed with a cup holder on one side, while the other side has built-in pockets, and a cooler to keep your drinks cold.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In that contest, Josh Emmett scored a nasty first-round knockout win over Mitchell, which left Mitchell out cold for an unsettling amount of time.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of cold
Verb
  • The cabin should be quiet thanks to the sound-deadening acoustic front and side glass.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Philips’ problems first surfaced publicly in June 2021, when the company warned that the noise-deadening foam lining its equipment, mostly CPAP machines, could break apart, sending potentially toxic particles and fumes into users’ throats and lungs.
    — Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2024
Definition of deadening
Adjective
  • Plan For Possible Delays: Given the potential for slower processing, apply well before needing benefits.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Don’t confuse grilling with smoking though—the basic difference is smoking is a slow process where food is cooked at low temperatures for a long period while grilling requires high heat applied over a short burst of time.
    — Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of slow

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Cite this Entry

“Numbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/numbing. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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