The effect is blunted somewhat by Earth's surrounding atmosphere which also traps heat.

The mouth full of egg blunted the tone somewhat, however, and the blue eyes regarded her with a certain curiosity as if wondering how far she was prepared to carry the story.

Michael P. Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers, noted that the heavy use of store gift cards, could somewhat blunt the effect on chain stores.

The fact that counterforces have somewhat blunted the aggressively reactionary Bush agenda, however, does nothing to alter the character of the agenda itself.

This somewhat blunts the installation's impact, because the guns themselves are potent phallic symbols.

The keen edge of social criticism that characterized masterpieces like "Nashville" and "The Player" has been blunted somewhat, but Mr. Altman remains an unparalleled choreographer of chaos.

Probably not, which somewhat blunts the impact of the project.

This has been blunted somewhat by the constant pressure of the international arena.

Kasparov's actual move contested d5, somewhat blunted the effect of the black bishop on g7, and retained a compact, flexible position.

But the cost issue has been blunted somewhat by a rise in the price of oil.