mind-numbing

/ˈmaɪnd nʌmɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmaɪnd nʌmɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmīn(d)-ˌnə-miŋ/ (ame, mw)

mind-numbing — adjective

1. so dull and repetitive that it makes you feel as if your brain has stopped worki

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so dull and repetitive that it makes you feel as if your brain has stopped working — used especially for very long meetings, paperwork, journeys, or tasks that require no thought.

例句

Ananya spent the afternoon filing receipts, a mind-numbing job that made her desperate for coffee.

attributive: mind-numbing + noun (job)

The lecture on tax regulations was so mind-numbing that half the students were asleep by the second slide.

同義詞
  • tedious

    less vivid than 'mind-numbing'; implies slowness rather than shutting-down of thought

  • monotonous

    focuses on lack of variation; doesn't necessarily carry the emotional impact

  • soul-crushing

    more dramatic, used for work or routines that feel pointless

  • dull

    generic and milder; can apply to weather, colours, or personality, not just tasks

反義詞
  • fascinating

    actively holds attention

  • gripping

    strongly absorbs interest; used for stories, films, performances

  • stimulating

    engages the mind in a positive way

文法句型

mind-numbing + noun

be + mind-numbing

用法筆記

Often used with nouns describing repetitive or administrative tasks (paperwork, data entry, filing, commuting). Stronger register than 'boring' — suggests the activity is almost painful to endure.

常見錯誤

❌The film was mind-numbing with excitement.
✅The film was mind-numbing
💡I almost walked out.' — 'mind-numbing' always describes something dull, never positive.
❌I feel mind-numbing.
✅I feel mind-numbed.' or 'The task is mind-numbing.
💡the adjective describes the thing that causes boredom, not the person experiencing it.