benumb
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make numb; deprive of sensation.
benumbed by cold.
-
to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.
verb
-
to make numb or powerless; deaden physical feeling in, as by cold
-
(usually passive) to make inactive; stupefy (the mind, senses, will, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have benumbedperfect
-
has benumbedperfect 3rd person singular
-
has been benumbingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am benumbingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been benumbingperfect progressive
-
are benumbingprogressive
-
benumbingparticiple
-
is benumbingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
benumbssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had benumbedperfect
-
were benumbingprogressive plural
-
had been benumbingperfect progressive
-
was benumbingprogressive singular
-
benumbedparticiple
-
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
And now she knew that the children were safe, the unexpectedness of it, the amazement of the whole thing, seemed almost to benumb her senses.
From The Island House A Tale for the Young Folks by Holmes, F. M. (Frederic Morell)
But we, my love!—doth a like spell benumb Our hearts, our voices?—must we too be dumb?
From Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold by Arnold, Matthew
And then we will no more be rack'd With inward striving, and demand Of all the thousand nothings of the hour Their stupefying power; Ah yes, and they benumb us at our call!
From Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold by Arnold, Matthew
But she replied: "Only in earlier years–but long ago it ceased to be so–did they make my eye-sockets burn and benumb my brain."
From Hesperus or Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days Vol. II A Biography by Jean Paul
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.
