STUPID Synonyms: 459 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'stupid' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupid are crass , dense , dull , and dumb . While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary. // stupid students just keeping the seats warm // stupid with drink

Q: When is it sensible to use 'crass' instead of 'stupid'?

The words crass and stupid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy. // a crass , materialistic people

Q: When can 'dense' be used instead of 'stupid'?

Although the words dense and stupid have much in common, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas. // too dense to take a hint

Q: When is 'dull' a more appropriate choice than 'stupid'?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupid , dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock. // monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

Q: In what contexts can 'dumb' take the place of 'stupid'?

In some situations, the words dumb and stupid are roughly equivalent. However, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension. // too dumb to figure out what's going on

stupid 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstü-pəd

Definition of stupid

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we watched as the stupid squirrels tried unsuccessfully to find a way to get the seeds from the new bird feeder there are no stupid questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest I can't believe we sat through the whole stupid movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in foolish

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment not liking the captain is a stupid reason to quit the team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stupid

2 of 2

noun

as in idiot

a stupid person a genius at math, but a total stupid when it came to his love life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stupid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupid are crass, dense, dull, and dumb. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm

stupid with drink

When is it sensible to use crass instead of stupid?

The words crass and stupid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When can dense be used instead of stupid?

Although the words dense and stupid have much in common, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When is dull a more appropriate choice than stupid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupid, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

In what contexts can dumb take the place of stupid?

In some situations, the words dumb and stupid are roughly equivalent. However, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

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 stupid

Adjective

Once upon a time, the idea that the world was growing stupider was mostly confined to the realm of dyspeptic reactionary polemic. — James Marriott, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Like the president, Vance describes Democrats as dishonest, pandering, and often stupid. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Problem is, even people who know baseball don’t know baseball, which makes betting on baseball stupid. — Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 The scale of the headloss was best summed up by Luis Suarez attempting to reason with Messi, before the Argentine did anything on the Suarez scale of stupid. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stupid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupid

Adjective

California is flush with dumb money and bad judgment, and an insatiable romance with an epic 1,200-mile shoreline.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
There were so many strangers ready to weigh in on my dumb life choices!

— Sara Vilkomerson, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dumb

Adjective

Most impressive is its capacity to achieve the perfect balance between design and sophistication, without being uptight or boring.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
The game was pretty boring overall, and the Seahawks looked like the significantly better team.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of boring

Adjective

On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
In particular, he was asked about Netflix’s slower growth (2% year-over-year growth in user engagement during the first half in 2026).

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of slow

Adjective

Tommy Gemmell, advanced from left-back, provided the equaliser on 63 minutes and with Inter tiring and Celtic still pushing, Chalmers scored the famous winner with six minutes left.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
But after a while, the lack of grounding gets tiring, as various supernatural shenanigans appear to be determined more by plot convenience than anything else.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of tiring

Adjective

But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
That scene was always the silliest in the American version, and its absence in the international edition was a wise choice.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of silly

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stupidities

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Style

“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stupid

adjective

noun

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