1
: a short bar with weights at each end that is used usually in pairs for exercise
2
: a stupid person : dummy
Synonyms
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bonehead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- deadhead
- dim bulb [slang]
- dimwit
- dip
- dodo
- dolt
- donkey
- doofus [slang]
- dope
- dork [slang]
- dullard
- dum-dum
- dumbhead
- dummkopf
- dummy
- dunce
- dunderhead
- fathead
- gander
- golem
- goof
- goon
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- know-nothing
- knucklehead
- lamebrain
- loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
- loon
- lump
- lunkhead
- meathead
- mome [archaic]
- moron
- mug [chiefly British]
- mutt
- natural
- nimrod [slang]
- nincompoop
- ninny
- ninnyhammer
- nit [chiefly British]
- nitwit
- noddy
- noodle
- numskull
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
Examples of dumbbell in a Sentence
I feel like a dumbbell for making such a stupid mistake.
no, you're not a dumbbell—this is one of the hardest courses the school offers
Recent Examples on the Web
Strengthening exercises, like lifting light dumbbells, might also help support your sore joints.
—
Ashley Abramson, SELF, 10 Apr. 2024
Perun, who neither drank nor smoked—and who had often spent his rare downtime in our apartment curling heavy dumbbells—was afflicted by a chronic cough that grew distressingly vicious as the operation progressed.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Move your back knee to the floor and press both dumbbells above your head.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024
Unlike barbells or machines, which can allow the dominant side to compensate, dumbbells require each limb to carry its load independently.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 28 Jan. 2024
Split Lunge: Hold a dumbbell on each shoulder and set up a lunge position.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024
Chest presses with dumbbells will address imbalances that may develop from using only one arm in pickleball.
—Amanda Loudin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024
The single-arm dumbbell row targets a bunch of upper-body muscles, Teddy Savage, CPT, national lead trainer for Planet Fitness in Baltimore, tells SELF.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
Save up to $700 plus free shipping on dumbbells and exercise bikes, from now through February 20.
—Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
Ashley Abramson, SELF, 10 Apr. 2024
Perun, who neither drank nor smoked—and who had often spent his rare downtime in our apartment curling heavy dumbbells—was afflicted by a chronic cough that grew distressingly vicious as the operation progressed.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Move your back knee to the floor and press both dumbbells above your head.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024
Unlike barbells or machines, which can allow the dominant side to compensate, dumbbells require each limb to carry its load independently.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 28 Jan. 2024
Split Lunge: Hold a dumbbell on each shoulder and set up a lunge position.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 26 Mar. 2024
Chest presses with dumbbells will address imbalances that may develop from using only one arm in pickleball.
—Amanda Loudin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024
The single-arm dumbbell row targets a bunch of upper-body muscles, Teddy Savage, CPT, national lead trainer for Planet Fitness in Baltimore, tells SELF.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 17 Jan. 2024
Save up to $700 plus free shipping on dumbbells and exercise bikes, from now through February 20.
—Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dumbbell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Dictionary Entries Near dumbbell
Cite this Entry
“Dumbbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbbell. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
dumbbell
noun
dumb·bell
ˈdəm-ˌbel 
1
: a bar with weights at the ends that is usually used for exercise or building strength
2
: a stupid person : dummy entry 1
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