dumb 1 of 2

1
2
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily don't call him dumb just because he makes the occasional mistake like the rest of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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dumb

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verb

as in to mute
to stop the noise or speech of the terrible news dumbed her for a long moment, and then she burst into tears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dumb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dumb are crass, dense, dull, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When would crass be a good substitute for dumb?

While in some cases nearly identical to dumb, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

Where would dense be a reasonable alternative to dumb?

The synonyms dense and dumb are sometimes interchangeable, but dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

In what contexts can dull take the place of dumb?

Although the words dull and dumb have much in common, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

When is stupid a more appropriate choice than dumb?

While the synonyms stupid and dumb are close in meaning, stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

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 dumb
Adjective
Pete Townshend wrote the music and the lyrics for the inspiring story of the deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball. Dan Kelly, kansascity.com, 6 June 2017 Some Dumb American, for giving me the opportunity — and for demonstrating what doing it badly looks like. Lily Meade, Teen Vogue, 6 July 2017
Verb
Don’t dumb the game down. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 M3GAN kills people, but our gal is not about to dumb herself down for Ken. Mattie Kahn, Town & Country, 14 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for dumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb
Adjective
  • This powerful documentary gives voice to their silent cries.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 7 May 2025
  • One of the radio outages appears to have taken place on November 6, when controllers overseeing Newark went silent for more than two minutes, according to air traffic audio from the website LiveATC.net and first published in November by the YouTube channel VASAviation.
    Casey Tolan, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
  • Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Economists and geopolitical experts, however, are more reserved in their appraisal of the agreement.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of the reserved marinade and toss to coat.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Its emotional impact is muted and its romance almost purely conceptual, but the fact that Qiaoqiao and Brother Bin’s affection — or even more awareness — survive all of this tumult and transformation is moving unto itself, as is Jia’s dedication to documenting that change.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
  • Yet their evaluations of CIA excesses are oddly muted, as if botched attempts to murder foreign leaders were just another form of intelligence failure.
    James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023
  • Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Combs Grows Frustrated Combs was animated during Ventura’s cross-examination, appearing somewhat frustrated with the tedious, slow pace that his attorney was taking when quizzing Ventura.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
  • Life has likely felt a bit nebulous and slow for you in the past year, Cancer.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.
    Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
  • Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Gert laughed, too, until the two of them were shushing each other quite loudly.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • One day at the Scottish Open, a volunteer held up the quiet sign and shushed the crowd as Morikawa prepared to hit from the fairway.
    Brody Miller, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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