NYT Dictionary
BENUMB
/biˈnʌm/VerbBE-numbbe-numb · 2 syllablesAdvanced/Professional
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2026
Meaning
To make numb, as by cold or anesthetic.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Old English be- Middle English bi- English be- English numb English benumb From be- + numb.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles: