numbing

[ nuhm-ing ]

adjective

1. causing numbness or insensibility; stupefying:

   the numbing effects of grief; a story repeated with numbing regularity.

Other Words From

• numbing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of numbing¹

First recorded in 1625–35; numb + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Morgan promises his show will be a “fearless forum for lively debate” that “celebrates the right of everyone to have an opinion”—which, in this writer’s opinion, sounds mind-numbing already.

From The Daily Beast

The refugee stories are compelling at first, but horrific details are numbing.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, there are more numbing lists, like “If my bed could talk.”

From The Daily Beast

Also to blame is a press with a limited appetite for mind-numbing budgets.

From The Daily Beast

But the arts have suffered the most from this mind-numbing approach.

From The Daily Beast

The complexities within that religious order, renowned for its scholars and loyalty to the pope, make for a numbing leitmotif.

From The Daily Beast

A cold, numbing sensation stole down my spine and made my legs grow suddenly weak.

From Project Gutenberg

Winston could scarcely grasp them, for he had lived of late in the cities, and the cold he had been sheltered from was numbing.

From Project Gutenberg

His head was throbbing, though he had touched no wine; there was a great weight in his breast, numbing, crushing.

From Project Gutenberg

Ere a dozen steps were retraced, she was met by the shower,—November rain, cutting and numbing as hail.

From Project Gutenberg

He stood among them outwardly calm and smiling, his brain fighting off the numbing, confused riot that raged within it.

From Project Gutenberg