Definition of gormlessnext
chiefly British
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a comedy show that invariably portrays the British aristocracy as a bunch of gormless twits

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gormless There are worse things than watching Black, Rudd, and Zahn play three gormless morons on a mid-life misadventure, but almost every scene and setpiece is constructed with a haphazardness that blunders away their charm. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2025 Ustinov hired him, though, as Stamp had unwittingly replicated Billy Budd’s gormless behavior. Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025 There’s some droll humor in this pileup of bad decisions and bad behavior — particularly in one running gag that sees Carey doggedly befriending Ashley’s parade of exes, including one hilariously gormless f-boy played by drawling ensemble standout Charlie Gillespie. Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 May 2025 Much like bad prose, his gormless suits draw far too much attention to themselves. Hazlitt, 19 Dec. 2024 Much of the movie unfolds inside the suburban Connecticut mansion where Lily lives with her gormless mother (Francie Swift) and her loathsome stepdad. Justin Chang, latimes.com, 8 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gormless
Adjective
  • Does that kind of discourse-friendly success override the fact that Euphoria is too young, too scummy, and too dumb to fit into the usual Emmy pattern?
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026
  • And that’s where things somehow got even dumber After being questioned by security, Beyer reportedly gave a fake name, which prompted them to call police.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Nothing gets Trump angrier than when one of his underlings is caught doing something stupid on videotape.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • But to those going to an upcoming show, for the love of God please shut up when Raye is sharing this story; a quiet room isn’t a license to yell stupid nonsense.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Banchero up-and-down The Magic superstar forward got off to a slow start by opening 1-for-6 from the field, including missing his first four 3-pointers.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
  • More Americans are heading into retirement without a pension, and are instead leaning on savings accounts and investment portfolios that have become increasingly subject to market swings and the slow erosion of inflation.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • July 23 – August 22 Clarity today comes from keeping your message simple and grounded.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Brown said Atlanta was taking away the Knicks’ spray game, which made the answer simpler.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Keep moisture in the soil by adding a a 3- or 4-inch-thick layer of insulating, coarse wood (NOT BARK) mulch, leaving some bare sunny spots for ground dwelling native bees.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Then remove a few of the oldest, thickest living stems, cutting them down to about 2 inches from the ground.
    Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • The same study notes that the hormonal cascade may even dull pain by activating peripheral nerves and autonomic pathways.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gormless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gormless. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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