benumb

[ bih-nuhm ]

/ bɪˈnʌm /

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See synonyms for: benumb / benumbed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM benumb

be·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. 2023

How to use benumb in a sentence

I saw this girl, eight or nine years old, all benumbed and nothing but skin and bone.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
The words were a talisman on the benumbed faculties of Louis; he hastened forward, and threw himself into the carriage.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The rest toiled on through swamps and mire, half-starved and benumbed with cold.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
The Thtre Franais, recently benumbed as with the quiet of the grave, became all at once a tumultuous battlefield.
The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4)|Richard Muther

The worst effects come last, when the brain is too benumbed to judge fairly of their harm.
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter

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 forms of benumb

benumbingly, 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

benumb

Origin of benumb

OTHER WORDS FROM benumb

Words related to benumb

How to use benumb in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benumb

Derived forms of benumb