as in to simplify
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Recent Examples of dumb down
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
This is clearly an assault on learning by the White House and an attempt to dumb down the national population.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 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
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
This is clearly an assault on learning by the White House and an attempt to dumb down the national population.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 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 plan included a prohibition on shark finning -- the process of removing shark fins at sea and discarding the rest of the shark -- and grouping sharks into different complexes to simplify the management of dozens of species.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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The platform is intended to simplify humanoid robot development by integrating hardware, simulation, training, and deployment into a single system.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Black voters make up roughly one-third of Georgia's electorate, and analysts have long viewed Black men as an important — though often oversimplified — voting bloc with priorities that include economic opportunity, public safety, education, health care, and quality-of-life issues.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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The piece is an optical delight, even if its message is oversimplified.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The platform is intended to improve situational awareness, streamline resource allocation, and ensure reliable communication for forces operating around the world.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
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Published by Epic Games, the game is also using Unreal Engine, which should really help streamline the game’s development.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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