as in to simplify
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Recent Examples of dumb down
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
State and local leaders should also roll back any guidance that is meant to force teachers to dumb down curriculums or provide passing grades to students who are failing or inflate grades across the board.
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Build authentic LinkedIn content: skip the AI shortcuts Don't let AI dumb down your message.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 20 Mar. 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
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
State and local leaders should also roll back any guidance that is meant to force teachers to dumb down curriculums or provide passing grades to students who are failing or inflate grades across the board.
—Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Build authentic LinkedIn content: skip the AI shortcuts Don't let AI dumb down your message.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 20 Mar. 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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The ad stressed how AI has simplified creative and production processes that were once learned through books, notes, and code.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Nigerian government rejected the claim, and analysts say the claim simplifies a very complicated crisis that targets people regardless of their faiths.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Polamalu explained that the debate about what's more ethical is complicated, and it shouldn't be oversimplified.—
Rick Ritter,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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That’s oversimplifying things, Bryant counters.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Texas and California have passed laws to loosen zoning rules and streamline permitting, but the impact has been mixed so far.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
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But the exact restrictions are still unclear as different authorities try to streamline a system that has just begun working.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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