Definition of dim-wittednext
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily the show's amateur sleuth always has to explain to the dim-witted police chief who really committed the murder

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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 dim-witted Ashton Kutcher As The Corporation Kutcher is perhaps best known for his role as the attractive, dim-witted Michael Kelso on the hit sitcom That ‘70s Show, which ran for eight seasons. Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Though Avantika was pretty iconic in her interpretation of the sweet yet dim-witted Karen role in the 2024 Mean Girls reboot, Seyfried’s performance was the blueprint. Emma Specter, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026 Hetero Awesome Fest: a gay ol’ time Ready for a dim-witted doubleheader? Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026 Facing pressure to sire a child, Jerome tosses a crude wager the way of his dashing but dim-witted Lothario-like chum Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) – a bet that the handsome cad won’t be able to woo Cherry and bed her while he’s gone for 100 nights. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 In this new-original sequel, however, the Spinal Tap trio seem older and wiser, and that’s a shame, since their dim-witted antics (going in circles trying to find the stage or rationalizing an all-black album cover) became the stuff of legend. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Sep. 2025 Three years later, Hurst was cast on CBS’ The Dukes of Hazzard as Hazzard County bigwig Boss Hogg’s dim-witted second cousin, twice removed. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 June 2025 Rising from the coffin of a hilarious but obscure mockumentary feature about four sort-of loser vampire housemates in suburban New Zealand, the FX sitcom shifted the action to Staten Island and cast its undead ensemble as blithely murderous, petty, pansexual and often dim-witted. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 During The Beverly Hillbillies’ nine-season run, Baer Jr. starred as dim-witted Clampett cousin Jethro Bodine as well as making several appearances in drag as his character’s twin sister, Jethrine. John Russell, People.com, 11 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dim-witted
Adjective
  • Paige is little more than a dumb blonde stereotype, another underwritten female character in Sheridan’s growing oeuvre, but Chapman laces her babyish whining with surprising bite, while showing a knack for physical comedy.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
  • How did an Ivy League grad from Penn get so dumb?
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Of all the live-action shows made by Adult Swim, Three Busy Debras is the most cartoonish; its world is as elastic and stupid as any Chuck Jones Looney Tunes joint.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Anyone who says anything else is stupid or lying.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This chaged profile results in improved satiety and a slower blood sugar spike.
    Jahnavi Rapaka, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That alone would create a challenging year for water managers, who rely on slow and steady snowmelt to feed streams, rivers and reservoirs and meet spring and summer demand for irrigation and drinking water.
    Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Such a vote — which is bound to fail but would put senators on the record — differs from using a simple majority to change the Senate rules, a vote a senator could force after an unsuccessful vote to break a filibuster.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Often called the Butterfly Nebula or the Bug Nebula, this object displays a striking structure involving two bright gas lobes extending in opposite directions, separated by a thick, dusty ring—known as a torus—around the central star.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Remove thick, dense piles of wet and matted leaves, or consider gently fluffing them up with a rake.
    Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dim-witted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dim-witted. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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