stupid 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

stupid

2 of 2

noun

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a stupid question
a dumb question
a silly question
an idiotic question
a foolish question
a lame question
a stupid idea
a dumb idea
an idiotic idea
a bad idea
a terrible idea
a horrible idea
a stupid story
a dumb story
a silly story
a lame story
a bad story
a pointless story
a stupid war
a dumb war
an idiotic war
a foolish war
a senseless war
a pointless war

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

Examples 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
In this case, Elsevier may have been aiming for good but instead hit the exacta of bad and stupid. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024 With that said, removing Mike Johnson would equally be as stupid. ABC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
But those options continue to be out of reach for the majority of those who are afflicted with this stupid, infuriating skin condition. Megan McIntyre, refinery29.com, 9 June 2022 Somebody who is dyslexic sometimes has this fear of being perceived as [stupid]. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for stupid 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupid
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
  • News to Know Disney buys Fubo On its face, the move might sound like a boring press release.
    Chris Branch, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Covering the entertainment business is never boring, and 2025 is already shaping up to be another banger as business models that have been around for decades continue to evolve, erode and unravel.
    Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In other words, the labor market and the economy remain strong and solid on their own, but could be undone by foolish economic policies that our politicians might implement.
    Harry Holzer, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The grade partly reflects the inevitable hot streak that would make a lower grade look foolish.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Randle has often been slow to close out on 3-point shooters and inattentive off the ball.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The Israel Defense Forces have been slow to withdraw from their position in the southern part of Lebanon despite a Nov. 27 ceasefire deal that gave the Lebanese Army and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon exclusive jurisdiction over the region.
    Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Adams may have thought Pierce owed him something for vouching for him, but Pierce was tiring of the pouting and target requests.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Those two references, of course to the surprise endings of Citizen Kane and The Sixth Sense (sorry if that just ruined them for you), were meant as a jaded eye roll to a tiring complaint.
    Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Couple Next Door The Bottom Line PG-13 partner-swapping upstaged by silly thriller subplots.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Elon Musk is surrounded by almost constant controversy, but the latest scandal to rock the world’s richest man is surely the silliest—Musk is being accused of pretending to be good at video games.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.
    Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Keep your indoor money tree healthy and lush with these simple pruning tips.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Listeriosis is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to newborns, those aged 65 or older, those who are pregnant, and those with weak immune systems, according to the and pregnant people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
  • On the day of the shooting, Nixon-Clark was 16 years and 9 months old, just shy of reaching legal status as an adult.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near stupid

Cite this Entry

“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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