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 dumb
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
And suggesting that Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed should be on a Ryder Cup team in 2025 is both willfully obtuse and indicative of a person looking back, not forward.
—
Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Looking to boost Hispanic voter engagement, in the spring of the election year, Obama ignored Congress and took a constitutionally obtuse executive action shielding immigrants who came to the United States illegally as minors from deportation.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
Nevala-Lee’s previous biography was on Buckminster Fuller, architect, futurist, longtime professor at Southern Illinois University, but also an infamously obtuse, inscrutable mansplainer’s mansplainer — his lectures seemed to go on for days.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Instead, the show morphed into a thudding retread of SATC with weaker, more diluted storytelling/joke-telling and an obtuse obsession with flaunting its characters’ seemingly infinite riches.
—Robyn Bahr, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Looking to boost Hispanic voter engagement, in the spring of the election year, Obama ignored Congress and took a constitutionally obtuse executive action shielding immigrants who came to the United States illegally as minors from deportation.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
Nevala-Lee’s previous biography was on Buckminster Fuller, architect, futurist, longtime professor at Southern Illinois University, but also an infamously obtuse, inscrutable mansplainer’s mansplainer — his lectures seemed to go on for days.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Instead, the show morphed into a thudding retread of SATC with weaker, more diluted storytelling/joke-telling and an obtuse obsession with flaunting its characters’ seemingly infinite riches.
—Robyn Bahr, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuse
Adjective
-
Lindsay-Abaire’s multidirectional repartee gets added zip from the first-rate cast, especially Margaret Colin as the unapologetically blunt Ruth.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators believe the victim died in 2006 or earlier from blunt force trauma, Tierney said.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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
-
Orientation matters; garlic is planted vertically, with the root (blunted) end of the clove facing down, and the sprout (pointy) end facing up.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Flat, calm but earnest, mildly anxious, blunted, volatile.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Doxxing is just a form of stupid bullying, not free speech.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Healey must think ratepayers – who are burdened with some of the highest energy costs in the country – are pretty stupid and simple minded.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
He is limited on passing downs and is more of a slow-burn pocket pusher than a man with a plan.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In some cases, lenders may cover the costs of buydown for you (either partially or in full), if the market is particularly slow.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This translates to the Gap cardigan sweater and the Levi’s shorts paired with the flats for a simple, slightly elevated look that feels comfortable.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Across the street, through a thick tangle of forest, the Khodymchuks’ building stood tall and gray in the snow.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Not only does the material ensure comfort and support, but the unique design, with thick straps that curve to the exact shape of my arches and a cupped heel, creates a glove-like fit that hugs my feet.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 5,000-square-foot store and gallery will benefit from the street’s dense foot traffic and its proximity to the Museum of Contemporary Art and other cultural institutions.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mussels, for instance, create strong underwater adhesives and fibers through dense protein droplets.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obtuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuse. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
