benumb

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.

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

And then we will no more be rack'd With inward striving, and demand Of all the thousand nothings of the hour Their stupefying power; Ah yes, and they benumb us at our call!

From Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold by Arnold, Matthew

Hence, if we could benumb the surface, certain of the lesser operations might be undergone without great inconvenience.

From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman

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 Vance, Louis Joseph

Put a tight bandage on the limb above the scar of the old wound to benumb the pained tendon, however long the wound may have been healed.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus