Synonyms of obtuse

obtuse

adjective

1

as in blunt

lacking sharpness of edge or point

obtuse scissors designed so that young users will not cut themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blunt
• blunted
• dull
• dulled
• flattened
• rounded
• smooth
• dullish
• level
• even
• flat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sharp
• pointed
• edgy
• keen
• edged
• ground
• jagged
• cutting
• honed
• spiky
• sharpened
• prickly
• spiny
• needlelike
• spiked
• scratching
• piercing
• spikelike
• whetted
• spikey
• lacerating
• stabbing
• jabbing
• ultrasharp

2

as in stupid

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily

forgive me for being obtuse, but I wish you'd explain that to me again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stupid
• dumb
• slow
• simple
• thick
• dense
• ignorant
• dull
• idiotic
• foolish
• thickheaded
• unintelligent
• fatuous
• opaque
• vacuous
• doltish
• dopey
• silly
• boneheaded
• dunderheaded
• irrational
• brain-dead
• unreasonable
• pinheaded
• witless
• dim
• oafish
• soft
• mindless
• bonehead
• brainless
• lamebrain
• insane
• dopy
• senseless
• dorky
• softheaded
• mad
• weak-minded
• dim-witted
• gormless
• lamebrained
• crazy
• slow-witted
• empty-headed
• moronic
• thick-witted
• airheaded
• lunkheaded
• idiotical
• knuckleheaded
• chuckleheaded
• half-witted
• unsmart
• absurd
• bubbleheaded
• imbecilic
• looney
• simpleminded
• cretinous
• uninformed
• imbecile
• lunatic
• birdbrained
• uneducated
• feebleminded
• unintellectual
• unthinking
• illogical
• illiterate
• asinine
• nonsensical
• fool
• untaught
• zany
• whacky
• lowbrow
• daft
• dippy
• preposterous
• unwise
• wacky
• nutty
• daffy
• fallacious
• loony
• sappy
• kooky
• invalid
• cuckoo
• harebrained
• screwball
• dotty
• cockeyed
• crackpot
• half-baked
• balmy
• boobish
• tomfool
• kookie
• featherheaded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intelligent
• brilliant
• clever
• sharp
• apt
• acute
• quick
• smart
• bright
• ingenious
• keen
• nimble
• fast
• resourceful
• wise
• astute
• insightful
• perceptive
• cerebral
• thinking
• sagacious
• intellectual
• savvy
• erudite
• knowing
• brainy
• knowledgeable
• keen
• discerning
• literate
• skilled
• quick-witted
• scholarly
• learned
• sharp-witted
• perspicacious
• sage
• informed
• cunning
• educated
• ultrasmart
• shrewd
• hyperintelligent
• supersmart
• reasonable
• wily
• sound
• trained
• sensible
• logical
• sapient
• highbrow
• crafty
• rational
• percipient
• valid
• prudent
• judicious
• sane
• well-read
• schooled
• foxy

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obtuse differ from other similar words?

The words blunt and dull are common synonyms of obtuse. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

When might blunt be a better fit than obtuse?

The synonyms blunt and obtuse are sometimes interchangeable, but blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

When is it sensible to use dull instead of obtuse?

The words dull and obtuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain

a dull mind

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!