as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
kept getting typecast as the hero's dorky sidekick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dorky
As any die-hard fan of Reagan-era cinema will tell you, the 1983 hit revolved around a Seattle computer nerd named David Lightman, played by Matthew Broderick as dorky but in a sorta cute, pre-Ferris Bueller way.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Sporty sunglasses used to be dorky.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, the actors are game, and that’s half the battle — even though the film’s positing Miles Teller as the dorky beta to Callum Turner’s hunky alpha is somewhat undone by the fact that the two actors don’t look all that different from each other.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Sporty sunglasses used to be dorky.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, the actors are game, and that’s half the battle — even though the film’s positing Miles Teller as the dorky beta to Callum Turner’s hunky alpha is somewhat undone by the fact that the two actors don’t look all that different from each other.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dorky
Adjective
-
In fact, one of my chief complaints about some contemporary thrillers is the feeling that characters are required to do dumb stuff by the unseen hand of the author, just so more crazy twists can happen.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
But Williamson isn’t usually dumb.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Directed by Nicolas Athane and Marco Nguyen, Jim Queen is a crass, profane, giddily stupid romp through a heap of stereotypes about gay life in Paris.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
For the record, those students are not stupid.—
Hope Loudon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pool service can be a bit slow during busy times, but once your perfectly prepared daiquiri arrives, all is forgiven.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
So future agreements could involve cooler normalisation, selective security cooperation, quieter diplomacy and a slower expansion.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the simple Deluxe Room is ideal for a quick overnight trip, guests looking for a longer stay should spread out in the Junior Suite with Living & Dining Area, which opens onto a semi-private stone patio with a bocce court and a firepit in the warmer months.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pantelleria Closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy, Pantelleria is a remote volcanic island dotted with traditional dammusi, thick-walled, domed stone dwellings built to keep out the heat.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Rodriguez Singh appeared behind the thick visitation glass, just feet away, seemingly prepared to talk.—
Doug Dunbar,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dorky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dorky. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
