blindered

adjective

blind·​ered ˈblīn-dərd 

1

: wearing blinders

Surely somewhere he still wanders turn-of-the-century New York City, … where blindered horses are giving way to subway and motor vehicle …

—Justin Leiber, Stories by O. Henry, 1989

2

: unable or unwilling to see or acknowledge what is apparent : refusing or failing to see beyond a narrow viewpoint

Are diplomats so frozen, uprisers so blindered and international lawyers so hidebound that they cannot create new forms of national association to meet the demands of the times?

—William Safire, New York Times, 15 Apr. 1991

… just as you think he's blindered, writing about the South without ever mentioning race, you'll turn a page and find the subject raised …

—Valerie Sayers, Commonwealth, 13 Feb. 1998

This blindered … approach is the most striking, and disturbing, in the articles to do with warfare …

—Bill Barich, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 1981

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 2

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now