1
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
the mayor has chosen to remain dumb about her activities that night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in reserved
tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination)
he prefers to remain dumb, and replies in monosyllables if really pressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 dumb
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
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
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
-
Even more telling, there was virtually no difference in data consumption, battery use, and background activity between the audio room tests and the silent room tests.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The trick now is knowing where to go and which Muay Thai boxing schools, silent monasteries, or health spas to choose.—
Lee Cobaj,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Making stupid internet fodder has never been easier than now, with the prevalence of AI image generators making everything from deepfakes to memes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Much like the stupid prions wreaking havoc in his brain.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Who better to go searching for unidentified flying objects than a snobbish TV host and a reserved extraterrestrial enthusiast?—
Geordon Wollner,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
There are two color schemes to choose between—a reserved palette featuring navy blue and green for a calm, sophisticated look; and a vibrant rainbow palette for those who enjoy bright, energetic colors.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Canadiens at that point had not generated a whole lot offensively, the game appeared on the verge of tilting in the Capitals’ favor, and the Bell Centre crowd had been somewhat muted — or at least a bit less of a factor.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
So the response at a recent energy security conference to U.S. energy policies was muted yet pointed.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 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
-
The company reaffirmed plans to launch an affordable model in early 2025, but warned the production ramp could be slower than expected.—
Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Marie Collins, a survivor and safeguarding expert from Ireland who served on the commission in the early years, resigned in frustration at the slow pace of change.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Fathers shushed babbling toddlers as their wives snuck out to change infants’ diapers.—
Carlos Nogueras Ramos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share