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as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily forgive me for being obtuse, but I wish you'd explain that to me again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obtuse differ from other similar words?

The words blunt and dull are common synonyms of obtuse. While all three words mean "not sharp, keen, or acute," obtuse implies such bluntness as makes one insensitive in perception or imagination.

too obtuse to take the hint

When might blunt be a better fit than obtuse?

The synonyms blunt and obtuse are sometimes interchangeable, but blunt suggests an inherent lack of sharpness or quickness of feeling or perception.

a person of blunt sensibility

When is it sensible to use dull instead of obtuse?

The words dull and obtuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dull suggests a lack or loss of keenness, zest, or pungency.

a dull pain
a dull mind

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 obtuse Hence the obtuse rabbis, the cowering Uncle Yasha, and, in Aliyah of the 1990s, the naked Russian woman, presumably a prostitute, presenting herself doggy-style. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024 Monster Hunter Wilds, released in February of this year, is another example of a series that changed its arcade-y spirit for a more photo mode-worthy presentation, while streamlining the obtuse friction that the original games were known for. Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025 There would be no obtuse angles; the idea was to maintain a feeling of innocence, like that of a child opening a toy for the first time. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 The Monkey is a source of constant obtuse dialogue and characters that exist only for the cheapest comic relief. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuse
Adjective
  • Isaac Leal, 17, died on Monday, June 2, from a blunt force injury to the head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
  • His autopsy revealed his head had blunt force trauma.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • The pair will make stupid decisions, and viewers will likely wonder: would a girl like Paula really do that for a mess like Sloane?
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 13 June 2025
  • This one is one person on the street obviously taking the soul of a protester who was stupid enough to go after some police officers.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
  • Strain into a highball glass, while simultaneously adding the club soda together in one slow stream to achieve the fluffy, towering fizz.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • And while the Canadian industry made early gains to close a gender gap in the film and TV industry, making strides in advancing and promoting talent from underrepresented Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities has been slower and more incremental.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ahead of the most important game of the year, Luke Esquivel said the key to a strong performance will be simple.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
  • Track what brings business Your process on LinkedIn is simple.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • In her papers, there were thick scrapbooks of Christmas cards, many from fellow-celebrities—Berg clearly adored Christmas.
    Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • Jane is heard asking the male escort to wear a condom, but is interrupted by Combs, whose voice appears thick and slurred, as music pulsed in the background.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Editor’s picks The world itself is lively, if not exactly dense.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
  • In Puerto Rico earlier in the week, the cloud was dense and caused hazy skies, according to the National Weather Service in San Juan.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Less prescient was her claim—ignorant in exactly the way of so many white feminists throughout history—that racial oppression would be solved once gender was abolished.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
  • The provision prohibiting states from regulating AI for the next 10 years is unconscionably ignorant and dangerous.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obtuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuse. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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