benumb
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make numb; deprive of sensation.
benumbed by cold.
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to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.
verb
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to make numb or powerless; deaden physical feeling in, as by cold
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(usually passive) to make inactive; stupefy (the mind, senses, will, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have benumbedperfect
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has benumbedperfect 3rd person singular
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has been benumbingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am benumbingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been benumbingperfect progressive
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are benumbingprogressive
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benumbingparticiple
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is benumbingprogressive 3rd person singular
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benumbssingular 3rd person
Past
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had benumbedperfect
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were benumbingprogressive plural
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had been benumbingperfect progressive
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was benumbingprogressive singular
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benumbedparticiple
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benumbedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of benumb
1350–1400; back formation from Middle English benomen, past participle of benimen to take away, Old English beniman; cognate with Dutch benemen, German benehmen, Gothic biniman. See be-, nimble, numb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Invention is kept alive, and the mind is not suffered to fall into that drowsy stupidity, which, in a civilized society, seems to benumb the understanding of the people….
From Forbes • Aug. 26, 2014
Hence, if we could benumb the surface, certain of the lesser operations might be undergone without great inconvenience.
From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman
There are some feelings time cannot benumb, Nor torture shake.
From Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature by Bartlett, John
The contractions of the womb and abdominal walls are so powerful as to exhaust and benumb the arm of the assistant and to endanger penetrating wounds of the genital organs.
From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.
All this Todros heard in a dim and vague way; but it was enough, to benumb his heart, full of petrified faith and pride.
From An Obscure Apostle A Dramatic Story by Soissons, C. S. de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
