1
as in nerd
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
we became friends when we discovered we were both dorks who had memorized the periodic table in high school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in idiot
a stupid person
he tried to be suave, but she still thought he was a dork
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dork
Of course, Comey being a self-righteous dork is not an excuse for Trump to sic the DOJ on him.
—
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Sep. 2025
Because despite their wealth and power, NFL and Fox Sports executives are at heart jock-sniffing dorks who will do anything to appease a good sports player, and pretty blonde girls.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
In Don’t Get High, an alpha dork and her merry gang of dweebs start an anti-drug group at their high school to make friends and influence people.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Those Park-Conklins are such sweet dorks.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dork
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Sep. 2025
Because despite their wealth and power, NFL and Fox Sports executives are at heart jock-sniffing dorks who will do anything to appease a good sports player, and pretty blonde girls.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
In Don’t Get High, an alpha dork and her merry gang of dweebs start an anti-drug group at their high school to make friends and influence people.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Those Park-Conklins are such sweet dorks.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dork
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dork
Noun
-
Many of the most popular sports pundits cast off analytics as superfluous nerd drivel.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The instruction book also features a bunch of cool facts and history about the SLS — a wonderful touch for a NASA nerd like me.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For airline geeks and loyal fans of the Emirates brand, the livery was probably the highlight announcement coming from Dubai this week.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Featuring even more eye-popping visuals than its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse is an animation geek's dream.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
There is nothing in the past year that suggests that the portion of this global event that will take place in the U.S. will proceed with anything less than exhausting chaos, a spoonful of stupid, and a dash of tragedy.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Jan. 2026
-
And then, the rest of her life, filled with big stupids and everything else, will begin.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dork. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
