benumb

[ bih-nuhm ]

/ bɪˈnʌm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR benumb ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make numb; deprive of sensation: benumbed by cold.

to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.

Nearby words

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

Related formsbe·numbed·ness

[bih-nuhmd-nis, -nuhm-id-] /bɪˈnʌmd nɪs, -ˈnʌm ɪd-/, nounbe·numb·ing·ly, adverbbe·numb·ment, nounun·be·numbed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for benumb

Slavery seems to benumb all the faculties except the passions.
Andersonville, Volume 3|John McElroy
Hence, if we could benumb the surface, certain of the lesser operations might be undergone without great inconvenience.
A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene|Joseph Chrisman Hutchison
Caniveau advised mixing brandy and water in order to benumb and perhaps kill the insect.
Original Short Stories, Volume 11 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant
This swift comparison between his present condition and the aims he had in view helped to benumb his faculties.
Father Goriot|Honore de Balzac

The effect of this announcement was to benumb his faculties.
Great African Travellers|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for benumb

benumb

/ (bɪˈnʌm) /

verb (tr)

to make numb or powerless; deaden physical feeling in, as by cold

(usually passive) to make inactive; stupefy (the mind, senses, will, etc)

Derived Formsbenumbingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012