dumb 1 of 2

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Jimmy Kimmel said something dumb. Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025 God, this is such a dumb story. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Are Rory and Cobby dumb enough to believe that Mr. Besegai’s goons (including Paul Walter Hauser) were dispatched to help them rather than to tie up loose ends? David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2024 This includes throwing out 31 of 47 runners dumb enough to run on him in 2022. James Yasko, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for dumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb
Adjective
  • The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
  • These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.
    Will Leitch, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The film shows the unspoken love and care expressed by gestures among the emotionally more reserved Chinese families, while in the film, the Qeelin jewelry becomes part of that special moment with auspicious meanings.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Top with reserved sausage, corn, and tomatoes.
    Liz Mervosh, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Market reaction to the QFI consultation was muted, in contrast to the buying spree triggered by potential lifting of foreign ownership limits.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Moreover, Washington’s response, if it truly had been blindsided, was curiously muted.
    Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The slow start that Mayfield is alluding to has to do with the Buccaneers only scoring two field goals through the first half, and scoring their first touchdown well into the third quarter.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Construction in the section of Jackson Park, often described as Chicago’s equivalent of Central Park, has been slow.
    Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the after-hours, the black faille number styled with a silky lime-green tank top was at once restrained and opulent, just great for a night out.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Justin Thomas found himself in the unique position of trying to amp up the crowd in support of his team, while also trying to shush them so that his opponents could have a fair chance of playing.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Booing begins, and then shushing, and then booing again.
    Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jared Jewelers Bulova Phantom Watch A watch is both practical and fashionable, and this style adds a touch of sparkle to simple outfits.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Each year, as the temperature rises, the town’s regular population of around 300 swells with thousands of kids soaking up the simple pleasures of the great outdoors.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a primetime game at home, this is the perfect environment for Sean Payton’s group to round into form and for quarterback Bo Nix to quiet an increasingly loud group of doubters.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Punishing a few will quiet many.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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