dumb 1 of 2

1
2
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily don't call him dumb just because he makes the occasional mistake like the rest of us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

dumb

2 of 2

verb

as in to mute
to stop the noise or speech of the terrible news dumbed her for a long moment, and then she burst into tears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dumb contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dumb are crass, dense, dull, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When would crass be a good substitute for dumb?

While in some cases nearly identical to dumb, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

Where would dense be a reasonable alternative to dumb?

The synonyms dense and dumb are sometimes interchangeable, but dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

In what contexts can dull take the place of dumb?

Although the words dull and dumb have much in common, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

When is stupid a more appropriate choice than dumb?

While the synonyms stupid and dumb are close in meaning, 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

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 dumb
Adjective
Pete Townshend wrote the music and the lyrics for the inspiring story of the deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball. Dan Kelly, kansascity.com, 6 June 2017 Some Dumb American, for giving me the opportunity — and for demonstrating what doing it badly looks like. Lily Meade, Teen Vogue, 6 July 2017
Verb
This includes throwing out 31 of 47 runners dumb enough to run on him in 2022. James Yasko, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023 Don’t dumb the game down. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for dumb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb
Adjective
  • Mello was succeeded by Pete Garcia, who ran FIU athletics from 2006 to 2021, and, during that time, the Hall of Fame remained silent.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The film investigates the silent epidemic of CRSV in Ukraine, a subject long shrouded in stigma.
    Lise Pedersen, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Thank you Hallie for thinking of me and putting my name in your stupid brother's ear.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • That would have been a stupid question just about anywhere else, but the exhibition was by Laura Owens, a painter with a penchant for trickery, and the venue was Matthew Marks Gallery in New York, whose press release for Owens’s latest outing offered little in the way of explanation.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Universities and businesses can collaborate with property management companies to offer housing stipends or reserved spots for international students.
    Botir Nasridinov, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • There’s a reserved spot in hell for the s*** stains pursuing this vile campaign to erase trans people.
    Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For instance, when Kobe Bryant was put into the Hall of Fame, in 2021, the celebration was muted considerably because of his death during a helicopter accident, in Jan. of 2020.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2025
  • So an impact from the new tariffs is unavoidable, but most analysts expect it to be muted.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023
  • Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • The cut is also gaining ground on the Adult Contemporary chart, only at a much slower pace, which is not unusual for that list.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • While there, we were met with a slower pace of life, more affordable off-season rates, and fewer crowds.
    Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Zhang films the turbulent yet nuanced action in dry, restrained tableaux of an elusive lyricism, a poetry that, to match Beibei’s relentless pursuits, remains just out of reach.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Some folks might overstate the likely influence of those who call for a more restrained U.S. approach to the world within a second Trump administration, the scholars wrote in the opinion piece.
    Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Visiting Villa manager Unai Emery had earlier been left angered by the decision to send off Jhon Duran with Tindall later seen shushing the Spaniard in the technical area.
    Callum Davis, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • In a sweet video shared on Instagram, the family could be seen hunkering down on a sectional couch, shushing each other and staring intently at their television screen as Kerry Washington and Andrew Garfield announced the nominees.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Dumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dumb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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