dullness

American  

[duhl-nis] / ˈdʌl nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or condition of being dull; bluntness or lack of sharpness, as of a blade or point.

2. a boring or uninteresting quality.

3. a lack of energy or liveliness; sluggish quality.

4. the quality of lacking light, brightness, clarity, or color; dimness.

5. a lack of intelligence; slowness of mind or thinking; stupidity.

6. a lack of intensity, acuteness, or keenness, as of pain or perception.

---

Example Sentences

The manufacturing hub, which anchors the region that is home to auto giant Toyota, is Japan’s fourth most-populous city and, according to a decade-old newspaper poll that still stings here, number one in dullness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

Her works achieve the difficult feat of synthesizing a coma-inducing dullness with piercingly shrill extended diatribes to create reverse masterpieces worthy of the most risible North Korean propaganda.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2024

Excessive coloring of the hair to lighten the color can cause damage to the hair shaft leading to dullness, increased hair fragility, and breakage.

From National Geographic • Aug. 22, 2023

“Let us not resign ourselves to sterile dullness and pessimism,” Francis told an annual gathering of pro-family organizations.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

“Maybe it’s that. She’s all mixed up with the dullness, and I can’t remember much except the last picture drawn in fire.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck