STUPID Synonyms: 459 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stupid 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstü-pəd

Definition of stupid

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

That's not to say that sometimes those running libraries don't make stupid decisions. — Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026 One guy, a university professor, asked, ‘Are you guys stupid? — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

Problem is, even people who know baseball don’t know baseball, which makes betting on baseball stupid. — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 The scale of the headloss was best summed up by Luis Suarez attempting to reason with Messi, before the Argentine did anything on the Suarez scale of stupid. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stupid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupid

Adjective

We’ll always be thought of as too conservative, too dumb, too reactionary, too violent by too many.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Here, in this image of an ingenious skidding kitten—in both its brutality and its beautiful, dumb, playful resilience—lies the wisdom of Marcon’s art.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of dumb

Adjective

With Oracle having lost more than $20 billion in stock-market value today, this appears to be penny-wise and pound foolish.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026
While the era’s bust eventually brought most of those ventures to an end, Brown said the experience taught him not to let the fear of failure—or looking foolish—get in the way.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

Because mRNA technology bypasses the slow process of growing viruses in eggs, mRNA manufacturing allows for later influenza strain selection and fast production, unlike traditional vaccines.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
After his sudden death in 1960, Olivetti began a slow decline and was eventually broken up and merged with a telecommunications company.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of slow

Adjective

Much of the advice for making friends can feel silly or trite, but focusing on three areas may make a significant impact on your social situation.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Then again, the silliest thing our species could do is resign ourselves to disaster.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Ahead, design industry pros share the 7 decor mistakes that could be outdating your living room, along with simple fixes to refresh the space.

— Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
The equation is even simpler for Bernie Margulies, CEO of American Compute, which advises on risk management for GPU financing.

— Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien,Seema Mody, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of simple

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“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stupid

adjective

noun

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