stupid 1 of 2

Definition of stupidnext
1
as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily we watched as the stupid squirrels tried unsuccessfully to find a way to get the seeds from the new bird feeder there are no stupid questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest I can't believe we sat through the whole stupid movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

stupid

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stupid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupid are crass, dense, dull, and dumb. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

When is it sensible to use crass instead of stupid?

The words crass and stupid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When can dense be used instead of stupid?

Although the words dense and stupid have much in common, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When is dull a more appropriate choice than stupid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupid, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

In what contexts can dumb take the place of stupid?

In some situations, the words dumb and stupid are roughly equivalent. However, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

How does the adjective stupid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupid are crass, dense, dull, and dumb. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

When is it sensible to use crass instead of stupid?

The words crass and stupid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When can dense be used instead of stupid?

Although the words dense and stupid have much in common, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When is dull a more appropriate choice than stupid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stupid, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

In what contexts can dumb take the place of stupid?

In some situations, the words dumb and stupid are roughly equivalent. However, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

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 stupid
Adjective
Anyone who says anything else is stupid or lying. Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026 The construction of new dirty fuel infrastructure is expensive and, frankly, stupid. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
There is nothing in the past year that suggests that the portion of this global event that will take place in the U.S. will proceed with anything less than exhausting chaos, a spoonful of stupid, and a dash of tragedy. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026 So, the parallel thing that I’ve been frustrated by recently is not just calling Trump stupid, but calling Trump voters stupid. Drew Broussard may 22, Literary Hub, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stupid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupid
Adjective
  • Rock and pop are often unsophisticated, or downright dumb.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Urban infrastructure, after all, is still pretty dumb—forcing robotaxis to be designed around transit systems that are decades old.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Curry is pure entertainment, and the NBA is a little more boring without him.
    Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
  • One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The glamorous branding of premium cards can also lead some consumers to make foolish mistakes by running up high-interest credit card debt.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In fact, businesses hired workers at their slowest pace since 2011, excluding the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The area’s large tourist population contributes a constant volume of unfamiliar drivers to already heavily congested roads, with traffic patterns that shift significantly between peak tourist season and the summer months but never truly slow to manageable levels on the area’s major corridors.
    Anton Lucanus April 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • When swallowing becomes difficult, eating can feel tiring or uncomfortable.
    Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
  • And adopting the mantle of cultural curmudgeon can get tiring.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The group never uses the word unless there is something silly going on.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • For Grabinski, what unites all of these projects is the fine art of creating a world that is emotionally smart yet deeply silly, fun, and expressive.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Lluís then calls Puig Antich a moron.
    Colm Tóibín, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This drunk moron — quite different from his character in the novel — bears a ton of blame.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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