1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
obtuse scissors designed so that young users will not cut themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
forgive me for being obtuse, but I wish you'd explain that to me again
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 obtuse
Monster Hunter Wilds, released in February of this year, is another example of a series that changed its arcade-y spirit for a more photo mode-worthy presentation, while streamlining the obtuse friction that the original games were known for.
—
Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
There would be no obtuse angles; the idea was to maintain a feeling of innocence, like that of a child opening a toy for the first time.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Monkey is a source of constant obtuse dialogue and characters that exist only for the cheapest comic relief.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See the previous discussion of economists, and their horridly obtuse belief that war grows the economy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
There would be no obtuse angles; the idea was to maintain a feeling of innocence, like that of a child opening a toy for the first time.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Monkey is a source of constant obtuse dialogue and characters that exist only for the cheapest comic relief.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
See the previous discussion of economists, and their horridly obtuse belief that war grows the economy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuse
Adjective
-
Vanney’s assessment of the loss was incredibly blunt.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
-
Mallen’s character is a blunt, irreverent woman with a thick Southern accent, a tendency toward microaggressions and a talent for manipulation.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
-
Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.—
Daniel Jackson,
Allure,
18 July 2017
-
Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.—
Andy Benoit,
The MMQB,
10 July 2017
Adjective
-
France One of my upcoming podcast guests, Mary Alice Duff, decided to swap the hustle of life in Philadelphia for the slower pace of southern France.—
Cepee Tabibian,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
-
Combs Grows Frustrated Combs was animated during Ventura’s cross-examination, appearing somewhat frustrated with the tedious, slow pace that his attorney was taking when quizzing Ventura.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Style them with a simple tank for a casual day out, or add a blazer and ballet flats for a more polished airport look.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2025
-
While rectal cancers can be detected with a simple MRI scan, other cancer types are more difficult.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The younger Cave, with a mop of jet black hair and thick eyebrows just like his father, is talking to The Hollywood Reporter about being directed by Kristen Stewart in her feature film debut.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
-
At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
The explosion in new construction projects was also allowed by the fact that the Austin city government has made building new apartments easier in recent years, rewriting zoning laws, cutting parking requirements, and encouraging dense, walkable development.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
La Jolla Walk-In Campsite The La Jolla Walk-In Campsite is a small campground in dense chaparral in Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Problematic to be sure, but also a very in-character move for an ignorant buffoon.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
6 May 2025
-
But here's a reminder for us: casual cruelty, performed by ignorant fascists.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obtuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuse. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share