as in to simplify
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Recent Examples of dumb down
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
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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Develop coordinated, vetted information hubs that simplify navigation across health, finances, home modifications, technology, and care.—
Aimee DeCamillo,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The service Young but competent staff simplify life at the resort.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But these tools frequently oversimplify human capability and fail to capture actual potential.—
Elan Gepner-Dales,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But that idea oversimplifies how credit scoring actually works.—
David Schepp,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He's also streamlined permitting and regulations to push for mining expansion when coal mines have been shutting down in the state, including several operations this year that eliminated more than 700 jobs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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In an effort to streamline eligibility, the TV Academy in 2015 implemented categorization based on length, with hourlong shows automatically submitted as dramas, half-hour as comedies.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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