as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
kept getting typecast as the hero's dorky sidekick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dorky
Despite the efforts of avid players, The Dude, and assorted poets, bowling in America still ends up with a broadly dorky reputation.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Geek Squad Not too long ago, the analytics department was the domain of the dorky nerds of the NFL.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Phoenix is cast against type as the dorky kid.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025
Prepare for an extremely dorky confession.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Geek Squad Not too long ago, the analytics department was the domain of the dorky nerds of the NFL.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Phoenix is cast against type as the dorky kid.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2025
Prepare for an extremely dorky confession.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dorky
Adjective
-
Telling the story this way elides, smooths over, and underestimates the role of circumstance and dumb luck.—
Charles Yu,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Advertisement This strategy was tried in the dumb-bomb era.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
End these stupid, senseless wars.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Most of the films that came after are ridiculous and stupid.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Council members LaWana Slack-Mayfield, Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo, whose west Charlotte District 3 contains most of the affected part of I-77, pressed the agency on its slow responses to their questions, asked in November, shortly after NCDOT released its maps for the first time.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The jokes and musical bits are amusing but not groundbreaking, and the story is too light and slow to have a real impact.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Looking for a thicker platform?—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
His house sits across from what used to be a thick copse of woods.—
Liam Rappleye,
Freep.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dorky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dorky. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
