benumb
Americanverb (used with object)
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benumbs,
present (3rd person singular)
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benumbed,
past participle, past
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benumbing
present participle
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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
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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benumbsimple
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benumbssimple
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have benumbedperfect
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has benumbedperfect
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am benumbingprogressive
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are benumbingprogressive
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is benumbingprogressive
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have been benumbingperfect progressive
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has been benumbingperfect progressive
Past
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benumbedsimple
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had benumbedperfect
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was benumbingprogressive
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were benumbingprogressive
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had been benumbingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
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
Greek Philosophy.—The essential pedantic stupidity of Aristotle’s logic, and its power to belittle and benumb the intelligence of its reverential students has been shown in every college where this effete study is kept up.
From Buchanan's Journal of Man, September 1887 Volume 1, Number 8 by Joseph R. (Joseph Rodes) Buchanan
Trembling with expectancy, she waited several minutes, then pulled again, and once more waited while the cold of dread spread from her heart to chill and benumb her hands and feet.
From Joan Thursday by Louis Joseph Vance
We would not employ the barbasco, that is to say, the roots of Piscidea erithryna and Jacquinia armillaris, which, when thrown into the pool, intoxicate or benumb these animals.
From Natural History in Anecdote Illustrating the nature, habits, manners and customs of animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, etc., etc., etc. by Various
"But, if they should enchant and benumb you, as they did then," quoth Sancho, "what matters it whether we are in the open field or not?"
From Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
And a humble suggestion for the icy, northwesterly breeze that so often benumbs New York City.
From New York Times ● Dec. 23, 2013
After offering some Soviet advance brass a dinner at his canonry, complete with vintage port, he benumbs them with a conducted tour of his cathedral.
From Time Magazine Archive
What assaults the eye often benumbs the brain, but now all the networks are doing the same.
From Time Magazine Archive
From the arctics and antarctics which they explore, they bring a refrigeration that benumbs artistic sensibilities.
From Time Magazine Archive
With some men adversity quickens the imagination with fancies; with others it benumbs their faculties.
From Art Principles With Special Reference to Painting Together with Notes on the Illusions Produced by the Painter by Ernest Govett
Steinem spoke explicitly about pushing the women’s movement beyond its initial concerns—essentially, the benumbed, unfulfilled flourishing of white middle-class housewives like her own mother.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Its importance may have been underestimated by a benumbed Supreme Court press, understandably focused on what is likely to be the Court’s decision.
From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2022
As friends and neighbors watch in silent awe, confused, benumbed, the father lowers the launcher and stage-growls the absolutely unnecessary: “It’s a boy.”
From Washington Post ● May 13, 2021
“A movie’s an hour and a half” is Amy’s benumbed reply — and that’s time she doesn’t have to waste.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2020
As, with benumbed legs, he slowly left the still sleeping town at daybreak, a crouching shadow emerged from the last hut and joined the pilgrim.
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
I attended and can assure you that, contrary to the glamorously edited videos in the show, they were malfunctioning, formless, benumbing ordeals.
From The New Yorker ● May 22, 2017
Tate Modern's current show Exposed, on surveillance photography, feels intellectually threadbare and aesthetically benumbing.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 9, 2010
A superabundance of news has the benumbing effect of mob rule on the senses.
From Time Magazine Archive
If the story line was somewhat benumbing, the dancing was dashing and vigorous.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Clinic had prepared me for it, benumbing my sense of shame, and besides, I was desperate for money.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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