1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
the dull knife just bounced off the skin of the tomato without cutting it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else
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3
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
dull skies plagued most of our vacation days at the beach
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4
as in matte
lacking a surface luster or gloss
a good polish should restore that car's dull finish
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5
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
that canvas shirt should fade to an attractive, dull red over time
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6
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues
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7
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
a dull roar from the distance
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8
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a dull market for luxury goods this holiday season
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1
as in to blunt
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the aspirin dulled his headache and he was soon feeling better
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2
as in to bleach
to make white or lighter by removing color
the painting's once-vivid colors have been dulled by time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dull
Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Some can help law firms and professionals automate dull and repetitive jobs, while others aim to make the legal systems and courts more accessible to laypeople.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Liam Wade, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Sirens’s bite dulls when the series eventually pivots back to suspense, and its ending is a fine, if fairly predictable, commentary on how privilege’s greatest power is its ability to protect the status quo.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Adjective
Amari should have been in school, but a bout of nausea and a dull headache kept him from class.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Some can help law firms and professionals automate dull and repetitive jobs, while others aim to make the legal systems and courts more accessible to laypeople.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
The edge gap is the widening space between marketing strategies that sharpen a brand’s competitive edge and those dulled by algorithmic automation, uniform targeting and the rinse-and-repeat logic of platform and industry best practice.
—Liam Wade, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Sirens’s bite dulls when the series eventually pivots back to suspense, and its ending is a fine, if fairly predictable, commentary on how privilege’s greatest power is its ability to protect the status quo.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
-
Isaac Leal, 17, died on Monday, June 2, from a blunt force injury to the head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
-
His autopsy revealed his head had blunt force trauma.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some people assume that longtime married couples are boring, but my husband has never bored me.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
-
Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.—
Ruth Etiesit Samuel,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
This week, hazy skies are reminiscent of the intense Canadian wildfires of 2023, which made Chicago the second-most-polluted major city in the country that year.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
-
But one thing Floridians can expect: hazy skies and colorful sunrises and sunsets by midweek.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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This Lulus bag is primarily matte and clean, with just a tinge of silver on the top handle and cutesy bow.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
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To get this result, Dempsey recommends the Dior Addict Lip Tint for its transfer-proof, semi-matte finish.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Some geckos have higher contrast in their coloring, while others appear more faded.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
-
Her devotees are still sweating through workouts at a faded gym in Queens.—
Alex Vadukul,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The pair will make stupid decisions, and viewers will likely wonder: would a girl like Paula really do that for a mess like Sloane?—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
13 June 2025
-
This one is one person on the street obviously taking the soul of a protester who was stupid enough to go after some police officers.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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In language the rest of us can understand that means a slightly softer and more mellow click that’s quieter and less harsh than teh average mechanical keyboard.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Buy Now: $14,990 13 Pendleton Cotton-Terry Jacquard Towel Photo : Mr Porter These towels are every bit as iconic as Pendleton’s blankets—and every bit as soft, too.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Gilroy, which is usually a sleepy town, comes alive during the festival, as locals are joined by travelers from across California and the country.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
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Quintessential sleepy Old Florida, towns here are oak-shaded and feature locally mom-and-pop diners and restaurants.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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