numb

comparative number · superlative numbest

1. Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.

   fingers numb with cold

   1 more example

   legs numb from kneeling

   Synonyms: deadened, insensible, nerveless, dead

2. Emotionally unable to feel or respond in a normal way.

   numb with shock; numb with boredom

   3 more examples

   […] when we know that hundreds are rendered homeless every day, and countless thousands are killed and wounded, men and boys mowed down like a field of grain, and with as little compunction, we grow a little bit numb to human misery.

   1915, Nellie McClung, chapter 2, in In Times Like These, Toronto: McLeod & Allen

   […] seeing the dog—somehow that made me feel again. I’d been too dazed, too numb, to feel the full viciousness of it.

   1966, Truman Capote, In Cold Blood, New York: Modern Library, published 1992, Part One, p. 77

   […] he submitted […] as a traitor, his mind numb with vodka, submits to a firing squad.

   2016, Julian Barnes, The Noise of Time, Random House Canada, Part Three

   Synonyms: stunned, dead

3. MaineDumb or stupid.
4. obsoleteCausing numbness.

   […] he did lap me Even in his own garments, and gave himself, All thin and naked to the numb cold night.

   c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

present singular third person numbs · participle present numbing · participle past numbed · past numbed

1. transitiveTo cause to become numb (physically or emotionally).

   When I first heard the news, I was numbed by the shock.

   3 more examples

   The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness.

   The ravviſh danke of clumzie vvinter ramps / The fluent ſummers vaine: and drizling ſleete / Chilleth the vvan bleak cheek of the numd earth, / VVhilſt ſnarling guſts nibble the iuyceles leaues, / From the nak't ſhuddring branch; […]

   1600 or 1601 (date written), I. M. [i.e., John Marston], “The Prologue”, in Antonios Reuenge. The Second Part. […], London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, and are to be soulde [by Matthew Lownes] […], published 1602, →OCLC, signature A2, recto

   But her main concern is the hard seating that numbs the nether regions.

   2020 April 22, “Letters: Open Access: Not easy for laptops”, in Rail, page 31

   Synonyms: benumb

2. transitiveTo cause (a feeling) to be less intense.

   He turned to alcohol to numb his pain.

   1 more example

   [I was] thankful for the pain, which helped to numb my terror.

   1861, Elizabeth Gaskell, “The Grey Woman”, in The Grey Woman and Other Tales, London: Smith, Elder & Co.

   Synonyms: dull

3. transitiveTo cause (the mind, faculties, etc.) to be less acute.

   […] hunger, fatigue, and despairing hopelessness had numbed his brain […]

   1912, Saki, “The Hounds of Fate”, in The Chronicles of Clovis, London: John Lane, page 219

   2 more examples

   The noise, the rush of air past our ears, was positively terrific. It actually seemed to numb the senses and make it almost impossible to take in impressions at all.

   1927, Hugh Lofting, Doctor Dolittle’s Garden, Part Four, Chapter 6

   [The sofa] exhaled a breath of trapped ancient farts, barf-smell, and antiseptic, the parfum de asylum that gradually numbed my nose to all other scents on the ward.

   2004, Cory Doctorow, chapter 13, in Eastern Standard Tribe

   Synonyms: dull

4. intransitiveTo become numb (especially physically).

   […] after fumbling with numbing fingers for ten or fifteen minutes, he waved his hand with a gesture of despair […]

   1918, Lewis R. Freeman, “Wonders of the Teleferica”, in Many Fronts, London: John Murray, page 270

   1 more example

   […] once more his feet began to numb. Again he got down and stamped the circulation going, but as soon as he began to ride again they numbed.

   1919, Arthur Murray Chisholm, chapter 18, in The Land of Strong Men, New York: H.K. Fly