variants
also idiotical
as in dumb
having or showing an inability to understand or make sensible choices
He ended up making millions from an idea that many had dismissed as idiotic. I'm afraid I said some really idiotic things yesterday.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 idiotic
Anything else would be idiotic.
—
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
To do a lot less foolish, thoughtless, stupid, idiotic things.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
There are bad individuals who should not be in this country for sure, but putting everyone into the same basket is idiotic.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
In Johnston’s reimagining, Jim and Credenza Twit operate the most disgusting, dangerous, and idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiotic
Josh Yohe, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
To do a lot less foolish, thoughtless, stupid, idiotic things.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
There are bad individuals who should not be in this country for sure, but putting everyone into the same basket is idiotic.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
In Johnston’s reimagining, Jim and Credenza Twit operate the most disgusting, dangerous, and idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idiotic
Adjective
-
Proof is just smart enough without risking making anyone feel dumb.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has routinely mocked his political opponents and critics as crazy or dumb.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His per-touch production over the last two years at Notre Dame has been ridiculous.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
That’s ridiculous, at the same time.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Devereaux receives a hero’s welcome back home, but his irrational and violent behavior threatens his new livelihood, as does the knowledge of his cowardice held by Capt.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
With the automation of more health billing decisions, irrational results have become increasingly common.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Excluding industry from the room doesn’t make for ‘independent’ policy but sets the table for ignorant policy.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Being ignorant but rational, the proto-citizens will necessarily settle on what Rawls called the Two Principles of Justice.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Indeed, because deportation is not considered a criminal matter, the constitutional provisions protecting those accused and convicted of crimes do not apply, including prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures, providing a lawyer and requiring a jury trial.—
Erwin Chemerinsky,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
-
That has prompted constitutional concerns around the Fourth Amendment, which prevents unreasonable search and seizure.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bainbridge knew about secrets and unreasoning shame.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Let sound political prescience but take the place of an unreasoning prejudice, and this will be done.—
Frederick Douglass,
The Atlantic,
16 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Idiotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idiotic. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
