dull 1 of 2

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as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a dull dance recital that made us wish that we were someplace else

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the importance of the discovery was lost on the dull minds of his colleagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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dull

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dull differ from other similar words?

The words blunt and obtuse are common synonyms of dull. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain
a dull mind

When can blunt be used instead of dull?

Although the words blunt and dull have much in common, blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

When is it sensible to use obtuse instead of dull?

The meanings of obtuse and dull largely overlap; however, obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

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 dull
Adjective
The headphones lack clarity and sound dull out of the box. Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025 Girlhood daydreams and bridal magazines promised glitz and sparkle on her Big Day, but the whole event had turned out as dull as the blade’s rounded end. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
Attacking enemies eventually dulls your sword, and once it's fully dulled, your attack power suffers. Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 12 June 2025 The bright colors of spent flowers will dull or turn brown, indicating the bloom is past its prime and ready to remove. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dull
Adjective
  • In other words — not to be too blunt about it — employers took responsibility for training their workers to work for them.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 5 July 2025
  • The man identified as Moore-Hodges walked away from the park around 3:50 a.m. According to the complaint, an autopsy on June 30 affirmed the victim died of multiple blunt force injuries to his head and neck.
    Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • The main reason Jacksonville is so boring, FinanceBuzz found, is that much of its population is thinly scattered across the city.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
  • GoPro has also dropped a white version and a forest green version if black is too boring for you.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • How this all will ultimately lead to world-building applications is hazy—and that’s part of the point.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 July 2025
  • Looking for a 4/20 warm up show that will haunt your hazy dreams?
    Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Staining not only revives faded wood but also helps protect it from sun, moisture and insects.
    Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • Select a faded flower and follow the stem down, cutting it 12 inches or more below the bloom, deep into the plant to encourage more long stems.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • These attempts to reshape the narrative around China’s actions go way beyond cultural soft power.
    Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 8 July 2025
  • Queen Camilla styled an Anna Valentine emerald green midi dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, a rounded neckline and slightly flared skirt with soft pleats.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Paired with the ensemble of braiders is their unpredictable clientele – a string of characters demonstrating the breadth of the American women filling salon chairs, from party girls to nepo babies and sleepy nurses coming off the night shift.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • Even its flavor conjures a deep sleepy forest with woody, spicy and herbaceous notes, and finishes pleasantly bitter.
    Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dull. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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