Blunting

Blunting refers to the act or process of making something less sharp, intense, or effective. It can apply to physical objects, where the edge of a blade or point becomes dull, or, more commonly, to abstract concepts like emotions, sensations, or reactions. This can result in a reduced ability to feel, experience, or respond to stimuli. In essence, blunting involves diminishing the impact or severity of something, whether it's physical sharpness or the strength of an emotional reaction, creating a state of diminished sensitivity or impact. It implies a loss of keenness or edge, a softening of the intensity, or a reduction in the force of an effect.

Blunting meaning with examples

• The constant exposure to violence on television, he feared, was gradually blunting the children's sensitivity to real-world suffering, making them desensitized.
• After years of working in customer service, she noticed a blunting of her empathy; she found it increasingly difficult to connect with people's frustrations.
• The repeated application of the medication was unfortunately starting to have a blunting effect on his cognitive function, affecting his memory and focus.
• The old axe, after years of chopping wood, needed sharpening; its blunting edge made it much more difficult and tiring to use efficiently.
• The comedian's constant use of offensive humor, over time, caused a blunting of his ability to truly elicit genuine laughter from the audience.