dumb 1 of 2

Definition of dumbnext
1
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

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2

dumb

2 of 2

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

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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
Rather than going fully bare-bones, the Callback positions itself as the middle ground between a smartphone that's too smart and a dumbphone that's too dumb. New Atlas, 22 June 2026 Only a few of you were brave enough to respond to last Wednesday’s question about your dumbest injuries, but the folks who did brought the heat. Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
Verb
Warner Brothers waits to be subsumed by Netflix or Paramount, cinemas are losing customers to streaming, and franchise entertainment continues to dumb us all down. Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb
Adjective
  • And no, that was NOT OutKick or FOX who wrote that stupid headline.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The thing about House of the Dragon is that everything really is quite stupid.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Serena’s name was on everyone’s lips, with fans chatting about the American’s chances and journalists jostling for position to get their hands on a reserved media seat.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The canopy area featured reserved seating that was blocked off with more seats for fans to sit and watch the game in the shade.
    Cal Phillips June 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Strong contrasts almost disappeared, colors were consistently muted, white was never truly white, and black was nearly absent.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
  • There are also six more colors to choose from like black, bright yellow, and muted pink.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • There was no repeat of the slow start that cost him a spot last season.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • The house old-fashioned can be made with bourbon or gin and is a much slower sip.
    Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Since joining the winery, Melton has brought a restrained, classical sensibility to wines known for an ability to age.
    Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The world press was less restrained; the Post, the Daily Mail, the Hindustan Times, and many others ran screaming headlines, accompanied by photographs of the climbers purloined from social media.
    William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • His interactions with Daemon (Matt Smith) last season, going so far as to shush him at one point, were a breath of fresh air.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.
    Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • As for the volunteers, the goal is simple—help someone stay safe before the heat turns into an emergency.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Evidence for at-home tools is thinner than for professional manual drainage, but the simplest options can offer mild circulation and surface-lymph support at a low price.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Thursday's layoffs data showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which quiets some of the week-to-week noise, fell by 2,500 to 222,000.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • The Calm app has guided meditations, breathing exercises, sleep stories, and music designed to reduce anxiety and quiet the nervous system.
    Katie Riley, Southern Living, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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