as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
kept getting typecast as the hero's dorky sidekick
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dorky
Every character has an adorable quirk or two, or at minimum owns a dorky T-shirt with a periodic table joke or a cartoon cat.
—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
As any die-hard fan of Reagan-era cinema will tell you, the 1983 hit revolved around a Seattle computer nerd named David Lightman, played by Matthew Broderick as dorky but in a sorta cute, pre-Ferris Bueller way.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
Sporty sunglasses used to be dorky.
—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.
—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
As any die-hard fan of Reagan-era cinema will tell you, the 1983 hit revolved around a Seattle computer nerd named David Lightman, played by Matthew Broderick as dorky but in a sorta cute, pre-Ferris Bueller way.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
Sporty sunglasses used to be dorky.
—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.
—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dorky
Adjective
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Though Cady has made some gestures toward helping the Bowdens, like his behind-the-scenes effort to get one of Anna’s death-row clients exonerated last week, Tom and Anna should not be so dumb as to ignore his ulterior motives.
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The entire plot to get to the bones seems incredibly dumb.
Adjective
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
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White can believe Hokit said something stupid and still believe fighters should be allowed to speak for themselves.
Adjective
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What to expect over the weekend Though Friday was expected to be the slowest day of the competition, the atmosphere at Cal Expo was anything but dull.
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Some residents are calling for civilian volunteers to help clear debris, frustrated by the slow pace of the rescue operations.
Adjective
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The questions Campbell needs to answer are simple.
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Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
Adjective
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Measuring less than a millimeter thick, this sensor basically acts like a neuron in our brain, processing and keeping the information even after the original signal is gone.
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ZDNet Korea also reported that the Wide Fold uses 60μm ultra-thin glass on its inner display, 30% thicker than the 45μm used on the Z Fold 8 Ultra.
Cite this Entry
“Dorky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dorky. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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