stupid 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstü-pəd How to pronounce stupid (audio)
Definition of stupidnext
1
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we watched as the stupid squirrels tried unsuccessfully to find a way to get the seeds from the new bird feeder there are no stupid questions

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2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest I can't believe we sat through the whole stupid movie

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in foolish
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment not liking the captain is a stupid reason to quit the team

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stupid

2 of 2

noun

as in idiot
a stupid person a genius at math, but a total stupid when it came to his love life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stupid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupid are crass, dense, dull, and dumb. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

When is it sensible to use crass instead of stupid?

The words crass and stupid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When can dense be used instead of stupid?

Although the words dense and stupid have much in common, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When is dull a more appropriate choice than stupid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupid, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

In what contexts can dumb take the place of stupid?

In some situations, the words dumb and stupid are roughly equivalent. However, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stupid
Adjective
First and foremost, Regal Cinemas left money on the table not making its signature Melania popcorn bucket in the shape of her big stupid inauguration hat. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 Supposedly intelligent characters behave in spectacularly stupid ways. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid. —Caroline Downey, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025 An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story. —Barry Levitt, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stupid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupid
  1. dumb
  2. boring
  3. foolish
  4. slow
  5. tiring
  6. silly
  7. moron
  8. simple
Adjective
  • And then quite a bit of dumb bits, like really dumb bits.
    — Eric Ducker, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The multi-vehicle pile-up that ensues might go even dumber than a Rusko drop, yet there’s no escaping the anxiety that remains in the static hiss that closes the track.
    — James Gui, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • Supporting your bone health doesn’t have to be complicated or boring.
    — Lauren Manaker, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Halftime shows for many years were also fairly boring affairs.
    — David Hill, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Counting on one of the league’s most expensive talents to play meaningful minutes from here on out at his age with a track record like that is nearly as foolish as Nico trading a perennial MVP candidate at 26.
    — Kevin Sherrington Feb. 4, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The lesson isn’t that NBA teams are reckless or foolish.
    — Spencer Harrison, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of foolish
Adjective
  • The studio believes that February, once seen as a slow month for moviegoing, has become a much more lucrative corridor to release films.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
  • What was once a slow squeeze has become an acute system failure for patients statewide.
    — Andrew Hevesi, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • It's been a cold, tiring week, but the light at the end of the tunnel that is a Saturday at Ikea picking out lamp shades is finally within sight.
    — Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 6 Feb. 2026
  • But studies have also shown that consuming caffeine before a mentally tiring task reduces the feeling of cognitive fatigue.
    — Katharine Gammon, Time, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of tiring
Adjective
  • On one memorable occasion when a Nazi came to town and threatened to burn a Q’uran and then march through the Somali neighborhood, water balloons and silly string.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The whole idea seems silly, but its impact could potentially increase the cost of aviation and affect flight safety and operations.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of silly
Noun
  • The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Overwhelmingly, though, the most common response was to seek confirmation of their suspicions that Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were morons.
    — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of moron
Adjective
  • The 18-year-old was also charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor and summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • With similar pressures and temperatures to those found at Earth’s surface, Venus, up above its cloud-tops, might already be home to simple but hardy microbial life forms.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of simple

Browse Nearby Words

stupes
stupid
stupidities
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Cite this Entry

“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of stupid for Spanish Speakers

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