Dulled: meaning, definitions and examples

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dulled

 

[ dสŒld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional state

To dull something means to make it less intense, sharp, or lively. It is often used in relation to emotions or sensations, suggesting a reduction in feeling or activity. When someone is described as 'dulled,' it indicates a sense of numbness or a lack of responsiveness to experiences. This can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, repetitive experiences, or substance use. Dulling can also refer to the physical sense, as in making a blade less sharp.

Synonyms

blunted, deadened, muffled, weakened

Examples of usage

  • After the accident, he felt emotionally dulled.
  • The painkillers dulled her senses.
  • Repeated exposure dulled his reactions.
  • The constant noise dulled his ability to concentrate.
Context #2 | Verb

physical object

In a more physical sense, to dull can refer to making an object, such as a knife or blade, less sharp. This can happen through use, wear, or improper maintenance. An object that is dulled is less effective at its intended purpose, which involves cutting or piercing. Maintaining the sharpness of tools requires regular sharpening and care, as neglected items become dull over time.

Synonyms

blunt, deaden, mitigate

Examples of usage

  • The constant use dulled the knife.
  • She needed to sharpen the dulled blades.
  • His tools dulled after months of work.
  • A dull saw is almost useless.

Translations

Translations of the word "dulled" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น embotado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเฅ‡เคœเคพเคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช stumpf

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tumpul

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะธะณะปัƒัˆะตะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ tฤ™py

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ˆใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท terni

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ embotado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kรถrelmiลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฌด๋”˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูุบูŽุจู‘ูŽุด

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ otupฤ›lรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ otupenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้’็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ otopljen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ daufur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑะนั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฃแƒฌแƒงแƒ•แƒ”แƒขแƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kรถnlษ™nmiลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ embotado

Etymology

The term 'dull' originates from the Middle English word 'dul', which means 'blunt or slow'. It is related to the Old Norse 'dullr' and the Old English 'dull', signifying a lack of sharpness, brightness, or intensity. Throughout history, the meaning of dull has expanded from mere physical characteristics to encompass emotional and cognitive states. The word has been used to describe everything from dull sounds and dull colors to the experience of feeling emotionally uninspired or numbed. It reflects a transition from a purely sensory description to a broader application in psychological contexts, indicating how language evolves with cultural changes.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,583, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.