1
: a short bar with weights at each end that is used usually in pairs for exercise
2
: a stupid person : dummy
Synonyms
- airhead
- birdbrain
- blockhead
- bonehead
- bubblehead
- chowderhead
- chucklehead
- clodpoll
- clodpole
- clot [British]
- cluck
- clunk
- cretin
- cuddy [British dialect]
- cuddie
- deadhead
- dim bulb [slang]
- dimwit
- dip
- dodo
- dolt
- donkey
- doofus [slang]
- dope
- dork [slang]
- dullard
- dum-dum
- dumbhead
- dummkopf
- dummy
- dunce
- dunderhead
- fathead
- gander
- golem
- goof
- goon
- half-wit
- hammerhead
- hardhead
- idiot
- ignoramus
- imbecile
- jackass
- know-nothing
- knucklehead
- lamebrain
- loggerhead [chiefly dialect]
- loon
- lump
- lunkhead
- meathead
- mome [archaic]
- moron
- mug [chiefly British]
- mutt
- natural
- nimrod [slang]
- nincompoop
- ninny
- ninnyhammer
- nit [chiefly British]
- nitwit
- noddy
- noodle
- numskull
- numbskull
- oaf
- pinhead
- prat [British]
- ratbag [chiefly Australian]
- saphead
- schlub [slang]
- shlub
- schnook [slang]
- simpleton
- stock
- stupe
- stupid
- thickhead
- turkey
- woodenhead
- yahoo
- yo-yo
Examples of dumbbell in a Sentence
I feel like a dumbbell for making such a stupid mistake.
no, you're not a dumbbell—this is one of the hardest courses the school offers
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjustable dumbbells: on sale for $399 Original price: $549
Dumbbells are a key component of a home gym.
—
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024
Just remember that juggling dumbbells while standing on a stability ball represents a fraction of the actual work that athlete has already put in to master it.
—Kate Ligler, Outside Online, 7 Dec. 2024
These multiple-time Home Fitness Award–winning adjustable dumbbells don’t take up a ton of space and have a solid weight range (5 to 52.5 pounds, in 2.5-pound increments) that adjusts with the turn of a dial.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
Inquire with your local library and school about donating books, says Peak.
Bulky Exercise Equipment
Huge treadmills, stationary bikes, dumbbells, and other bulky exercise equipment are not only difficult and costly to move, but there might not be room for them in your new space, says Peak.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dumbbell 
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.
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024
Just remember that juggling dumbbells while standing on a stability ball represents a fraction of the actual work that athlete has already put in to master it.
—Kate Ligler, Outside Online, 7 Dec. 2024
These multiple-time Home Fitness Award–winning adjustable dumbbells don’t take up a ton of space and have a solid weight range (5 to 52.5 pounds, in 2.5-pound increments) that adjusts with the turn of a dial.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
Inquire with your local library and school about donating books, says Peak.
Bulky Exercise Equipment
Huge treadmills, stationary bikes, dumbbells, and other bulky exercise equipment are not only difficult and costly to move, but there might not be room for them in your new space, says Peak.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dumbbell
Articles Related to dumbbell
Dictionary Entries Near dumbbell
Cite this Entry
“Dumbbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbbell. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dumbbell
noun
dumb·bell
ˈdəm-ˌbel 
1
: a bar with weights at the ends that is usually used for exercise or building strength
2
: a stupid person : dummy entry 1
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share