Synonyms of dud

dud 1 of 2

noun

ˈdəd 

1

as in disaster

something that has failed

our first attempt was a complete dud, so we had to start over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disaster
• failure
• disappointment
• catastrophe
• loser
• bomb
• bust
• fiasco
• flop
• washout
• clunker
• debacle
• miss
• fizzle
• lemon
• shipwreck
• mess
• bummer
• has-been
• clinker
• frost
• turkey
• also-ran
• botch
• dog
• shambles
• hash
• near miss
• nonstarter
• muddle
• nonevent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• success
• hit
• blockbuster
• winner
• smash
• phenomenon
• corker
• crackerjack
• dandy
• jim-dandy

2

as in clothes

duds plural covering for the human body

those are some pretty fancy duds you're wearing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clothes
• clothing
• dress
• habit
• attire
• threads
• apparel
• rags
• gear
• wear
• rig
• weeds
• costume
• rigging
• clobber
• garments
• toggery
• vestiary
• wearables
• vesture
• habiliment(s)
• costumery
• togs
• raiment
• vestments
• tawdry
• foofaraw
• trumpery
• glad rags
• pretties
• underwear
• finery
• ensemble
• frippery
• frock
• wardrobe
• gaudery
• bravery
• tatters
• trim
• regalia
• couture
• garb
• gaiety
• livery
• caparison
• getup
• array
• garderobe
• civvies
• tailoring
• mufti
• outfit
• haberdashery
• guise
• outerwear
• ready-to-wear
• sleepwear
• playwear
• sportswear
• loungewear
• underclothes
• smallclothes
• menswear
• prêt-à-porter
• activewear
• nightclothes

3

as in things

duds plural transportable items that one owns

you have one hour to pack up your duds and clear out of here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• things
• stuff
• effects
• gear
• possession
• personal property
• goods
• personalty
• personal effects
• holdings
• belongings
• paraphernalia
• plunder
• chattels
• treasures
• movables
• fixtures
• property
• appointments
• valuables
• collateral
• furnishings
• estate
• tangibles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real estate
• immovables

dud

2 of 2

adjective

as in defective

Related Words

• defective
• unsatisfactory
• flawed
• substandard
• imperfect
• bad
• lousy
• low-grade
• cheap
• duff
• inadequate
• inferior
• base
• insufficient
• cheapjack
• second-rate
• unacceptable
• worthless
• deficient
• valueless
• no-good
• null
• empty
• vain
• junky
• chaffy

Dissimilar Words

• worthy
• valuable
• useful
• invaluable
• precious
• priceless
• special
• exceptional
• fancy
• choice
• prized
• cherished
• treasured
• esteemed
• high-grade

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dud

Noun

Shy of Tuesday’s absolute dud, the Twins, winners in six of seven through Sunday, continued to play well in a series that afforded them a chance to measure themselves against the best. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 25 June 2026

His 2022 autobiographical family drama, The Fabelmans, proved a critical hit but a financial dud, and his adaptation of West Side Story was a straight-up flop (with losses reportedly running to $100 million). — Chris Lee, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Adjective

In a dud finale against the Detroit Lions in 1991, Wolford got rolled up and suffered a high-ankle sprain that hobbled him throughout the postseason. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Duplass’ Michael is a dud, sorta sweet but totally spineless. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025