benumb

[ bih-nuhm ]
See synonyms for: benumbbenumbed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to make numb; deprive of sensation: benumbed by cold.

  2. to render inactive; deaden or stupefy.

Origin of benumb

1
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-/, noun
  • be·numb·ing·ly, adverb
  • be·numb·ment, noun
  • un·be·numbed, adjective

Words Nearby benumb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use benumb in a sentence

  • He further says they dwarf the body, benumb the brain and weaken character.

    "Say Fellows--" | Wade C. Smith
  • The cold closely surrounding air zone appears to benumb or paralyze them, and they drop in great numbers near the margin.

  • What a multitude of impressions were stored in her sensitive mind, impressions which, for the moment, seemed to benumb her!

    The Last Shot | Frederick Palmer
  • They have every one of them passions of their own, that rouse and awaken, stupefy and benumb them, without our leave or consent.

    The Essays of Montaigne, Complete | Michel de Montaigne
  • It is well established that even small quantities of alcohol weaken the will power and benumb the mental powers.

    Society | Henry Kalloch Rowe

British Dictionary definitions for benumb

benumb

/ (bɪˈnʌm) /


verb(tr)
  1. to make numb or powerless; deaden physical feeling in, as by cold

  2. (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