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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The innovative Mini Mahjer Card features simplified and shortened winning tile combinations tailored for young players or anyone new to the game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
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Consolidation can also help simplify your finances.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The contrast is oversimplified, and critics are right to say so.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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As president, Custer said her top priorities would be streamlining board governance, stabilizing the district’s finances and focusing on student learning.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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The California Department of Public Health had also initially planned to develop a tool that would streamline the labor-intensive process of inspecting healthcare facilities.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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