numbly

Examples

• All

• Dragging a blanket from the bed, she numbly crept into the living room.

  Fiction book (1994)

• The engineer numbly nods his understanding and moves back to the ladder.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Mary dismounted and followed her, staring numbly at the face in the snow.

  Fiction book (1990)

• He's in a state of shock, numbly staring at the TV.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Kara looks down at the baby, then stares numbly forward.

  Fiction book (1995)

• "Don't die," she pleaded numbly, scarcely hearing herself.

  Fiction book (1993)

• John drinks and passes the jug to Tuck, who numbly shakes his head.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Slowly, the fingers loosened, and while Joze looked on numbly, unable to move, the book thudded to the floor.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Back at the demolished morgue window as the two policemen stare numbly in open-mouthed astonishment.

  Fiction book (1998)

• After hearing the tragic news, she nodded numbly, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Synonyms

I

impassively

vsnumbly

4 6.8

In a way that shows no feeling or reaction

can mean actual lack of feeling, not only lack of reaction

V

vacantly

vsnumbly

3 4.8

In a blank way that shows no interest or thought

is about lacking feeling itself rather than only attention

B

bloodedly

vsnumbly

1 9.9

In a cold way that shows no care for other people's feelings

is less about cruelty and more about inner lack of feeling

L

lifelessly

vsnumbly

1 5.4

In a way that shows no energy or interest

is a direct absence of feeling, not just low energy

H

hollowly

vsnumbly

1 6.6

In a way that sounds empty and not sincere

is a purer lack of feeling, not only insincerity

I

insensibly

vsnumbly

1 7.4

In a way that shows no feeling or awareness

also covers emotional lack as well as physical numbness

U

unemotionally

vsnumbly

1 5.0

In a calm way that does not show feelings

is broader, covering physical lack of feeling too

S

stonily

vsnumbly

1 8.0

In a cold, unfriendly way that shows no feeling

may describe the same coldness but also bodily numbness

E

emptily

vsnumbly

1 5.9

In a way that shows no feeling or life

is about absence of feeling including physical numbness too

A

apathetically

vsnumbly

1 7.3

In a way that shows no interest or energy

is a lack of feeling that can be physical as well

I

insensately

vsnumbly

9.9

Acting without feeling or reason and not caring about harm to others

also includes emotional deadness, not only bodily insensitivity

F

frozenly

vsnumbly

7.0

In a still, cold way that shows no feeling

can describe both lack of feeling and physical numbness

E

emotionlessly

vsnumbly

6.9

Without showing any feeling

includes that emotional absence but also physical loss of feeling

U

unfeelingly

vsnumbly

7.5

In a way that does not show care or kindness

is less about moral stance and more about feeling loss

I

inexpressively

vsnumbly

7.4

In a way that shows no feeling on the face

is similar but also refers to inner lack of physical sensation

S

soullessly

vsnumbly

8.0

In a way that shows no feeling or human warmth, like a machine

is similar but can include actual loss of physical sensation

A

aseptically

vsnumbly

8.6

In a cold, clinical way that shows no feeling

covers that coldness but also physical numbness possibilities

S

spiritlessly

vsnumbly

6.7

In a way that shows no energy or interest

is an absence of feeling rather than merely low energy

Antonyms

E

emotionally

369 2.7

In a way that shows strong feelings

S

sensitively

5 4.2

In a way that shows care for other people's feelings and needs

How Numb

unfeelingly

7.5

numbly

3 5.8

dully

1 4.1

listlessly

3 5.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology