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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 This is the least intentional of this trio of gormless, spray-and-pray LPs but perhaps the most layered and ambitious. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026 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 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
  • America’s Semiquincentennial was celebrated across the country this summer with big, dumb, gluttonous fun.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But the attention on Cunningham’s comments, the contrived outrage over a fictional trans athlete draft and dumb stunts by former NBA players may have helped drive more folks toward watching the league’s games.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.
    Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • As Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier and promised new openness with a policy of glasnost, a slow thaw would begin toward free speech, human rights, the release of political dissidents and relaxed restrictions on emigration.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • With other phones, even something simple like replacing an aging battery often requires melting adhesive, prying apart fragile glass panels, and decoupling cables.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For a generation that grew up under those glowing Pizza Hut pendants, the appeal is simple.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Everything about the deer seemed oversize, including the thick, bullish body that met a neck that looked at least 24 inches around at its smallest.
    Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Materials Professional agility courses where competitions are held use poles made from Polyvinyl chloride plastic pipes that are 3/4-inch thick and stand 40 inches tall.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Nothing can ruin your day quite like the dull ache of underwire hoisting up your bust.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Underripe corn is rather dull and hard, similar to ears of corn that have been on the plant for too long.
    Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gormless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gormless. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster