as in to simplify
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Recent Examples of dumb down
In other words, rather than admitting more qualified applicants, the administration has chosen to pressure professors to dumb down the material.
—
Adam B. Summers,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Those attempts to dumb down devices continue in the streaming age.
—
Janko Roettgers,
The Verge,
28 May 2026
The one remaining source of substantial opposition remains the faculty, who frequently claim that shorter degrees will dumb down expectations for students.
—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
13 Feb. 2026
The apparent solution among the education establishment is not to challenge kids to stretch their minds and hit the books but rather to dumb down the curriculum so everyone passes.
—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
For once, the Perrys promised, over many, many drinks, a movie would be made that didn’t dumb down the story on which it was based.
—
Susan Cheever,
Vogue,
29 Sep. 2025
Parents responded that such changes would dumb down San Francisco schools.
—
Jill Tucker,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 May 2025
The company wanted to ensure that amateurs could safely explore the car’s uncanny capabilities but didn’t want to dumb down the thrills.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Mar. 2011
Adam B. Summers,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Those attempts to dumb down devices continue in the streaming age.
—
Janko Roettgers,
The Verge,
28 May 2026
The one remaining source of substantial opposition remains the faculty, who frequently claim that shorter degrees will dumb down expectations for students.
—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
13 Feb. 2026
The apparent solution among the education establishment is not to challenge kids to stretch their minds and hit the books but rather to dumb down the curriculum so everyone passes.
—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
For once, the Perrys promised, over many, many drinks, a movie would be made that didn’t dumb down the story on which it was based.
—
Susan Cheever,
Vogue,
29 Sep. 2025
Parents responded that such changes would dumb down San Francisco schools.
—
Jill Tucker,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 May 2025
The company wanted to ensure that amateurs could safely explore the car’s uncanny capabilities but didn’t want to dumb down the thrills.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Mar. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb down
Verb
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This may help simplify matters if questions arise about which funds in the account are exempt from collection efforts.
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In my assessment, meaningful reforms focus on empowering registers of deeds to substantively review suspicious documents before recording them; simplifying and expediting quiet title proceedings; and expanding civil remedies so victims can recover the costs associated with clearing their title.
Verb
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This year’s religious Democrats support an expansive state with generous benefits that uplift the poor, because (to oversimplify a little) that’s what Jesus would have wanted.
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Researchers also caution against oversimplifying conversations around hormone therapy.
Verb
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This popular productivity tool can be used to efficiently streamline your space as well as your work day.
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From shopping for clothes to nailing Parisian style in the heart of the city itself to snagging groceries to make a meal at your Airbnb, these bags are a sneaky hack to streamline your travel days.
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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