as in to simplify
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Recent Examples of dumb down
The one remaining source of substantial opposition remains the faculty, who frequently claim that shorter degrees will dumb down expectations for students.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The apparent solution among the education establishment is not to challenge kids to stretch their minds and hit the books but rather to dumb down the curriculum so everyone passes.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
For once, the Perrys promised, over many, many drinks, a movie would be made that didn’t dumb down the story on which it was based.
—Susan Cheever, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2025
This is clearly an assault on learning by the White House and an attempt to dumb down the national population.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025
Parents responded that such changes would dumb down San Francisco schools.
—Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 May 2025
The company wanted to ensure that amateurs could safely explore the car’s uncanny capabilities but didn’t want to dumb down the thrills.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2011
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The apparent solution among the education establishment is not to challenge kids to stretch their minds and hit the books but rather to dumb down the curriculum so everyone passes.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
For once, the Perrys promised, over many, many drinks, a movie would be made that didn’t dumb down the story on which it was based.
—Susan Cheever, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2025
This is clearly an assault on learning by the White House and an attempt to dumb down the national population.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2025
Parents responded that such changes would dumb down San Francisco schools.
—Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 May 2025
The company wanted to ensure that amateurs could safely explore the car’s uncanny capabilities but didn’t want to dumb down the thrills.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumb down
Verb
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Lawmakers backing the bill say the change is meant to simplify the process for people who already want to own raccoons obtained through legal breeders, not animals captured from the wild.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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If successful, the technology could simplify treatment for chronic diseases.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over time, the remark evolved into a slogan that became shorthand for the Rangers’ reputation for lone, forceful law enforcement — a legacy that supporters celebrate and critics say oversimplifies a more complicated history.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
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The problem is that this comparison often oversimplifies what Social Security actually is and underestimates how much risk and leverage already exist in today’s financial markets.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An analysis of proposals that would be streamlined by the governor’s proposal for SEQRA reform shows that less than 1% of projects in New York City had any environmental impacts at all.—
Leila Bozorg,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Officials say this move will streamline coordination and reduce duplication across the three countries.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumb down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumb%20down. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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