as in thickness
the quality or state of lacking intelligence or quickness of mind
our guest's obtuseness was such that he failed to take even the broadest hint that it was time to leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuseness
Noun
-
The material is the perfect thickness for either layering or wearing standalone.—
Jordyn Burrell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026 -
The thickness of the ice is between 3/4 and 1½ inches.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Which is much worse than plain old stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike its sibling concepts of dumbness and idiocy, stupidity isn’t really a personality trait.—
Jonny Thomson,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Compare that to punk rock, which used dumbness as a tactic.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But the composer Huang Ruo knows that this slowness can also offer opportunity for pause, reflection, and escape.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The slowness is part of its appeal.—
Kallie Plagge,
The Verge,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once activated with water, rice powder and rice extract gently buff away dullness, while papaya enzymes dissolve dead skin cells without any harsh scrubbing.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
1 Feb. 2026
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To avoid any dullness, a chunky belt is the ultimate solution to break up the fabric or pattern.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The pressure brought forth both boneheadedness and brilliance.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Was her decision to push forward with a severe knee injury a calculated risk or stubborn foolishness?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Navarro devoted a chapter to the seductive foolishness of protectionist trade policies.—
Ian Parker,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
No, but the line captures the aristocracy’s witlessness.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Obtuseness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuseness. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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