GORMLESS Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

gormless

adjective

ˈgȯrm-ləs

chiefly British

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a comedy show that invariably portrays the British aristocracy as a bunch of gormless twits

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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 gormless There are worse things than watching Black, Rudd, and Zahn play three gormless morons on a mid-life misadventure, but almost every scene and setpiece is constructed with a haphazardness that blunders away their charm. —

David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2025 Ustinov hired him, though, as Stamp had unwittingly replicated Billy Budd’s gormless behavior. —

Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025 There’s some droll humor in this pileup of bad decisions and bad behavior — particularly in one running gag that sees Carey doggedly befriending Ashley’s parade of exes, including one hilariously gormless f-boy played by drawling ensemble standout Charlie Gillespie. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 May 2025 Much like bad prose, his gormless suits draw far too much attention to themselves. —

Hazlitt, 19 Dec. 2024 Much of the movie unfolds inside the suburban Connecticut mansion where Lily lives with her gormless mother (Francie Swift) and her loathsome stepdad. —

Justin Chang, latimes.com, 8 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gormless

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