1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
obtuse scissors designed so that young users will not cut themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
forgive me for being obtuse, but I wish you'd explain that to me again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obtuse
But the Dunne character’s binary, psychologically obtuse way of talking about survivors of abuse, essentially arguing that minutely observing their behavior can help adjudicate the truth of their claims, isn’t limited to his perspective as one character.
—
Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
For each subtle, smart decision in one regard, there’s a glaring, obtuse decision elsewhere, which ultimately makes an adaptation that should broaden Taddeo’s audience into a series that may only be fully appreciated by those who’ve also read the book.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2024
And what determines what is complicated with such an obtuse law?
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Not an obtuse reference, but a keen one, to the 1977 Bollywood film Amar Akbar Anthony, about three Indian brothers separated at birth and raised in different religious communities.
—Mallika Rao, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Alessa Dominguez, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
For each subtle, smart decision in one regard, there’s a glaring, obtuse decision elsewhere, which ultimately makes an adaptation that should broaden Taddeo’s audience into a series that may only be fully appreciated by those who’ve also read the book.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2024
And what determines what is complicated with such an obtuse law?
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Not an obtuse reference, but a keen one, to the 1977 Bollywood film Amar Akbar Anthony, about three Indian brothers separated at birth and raised in different religious communities.
—Mallika Rao, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obtuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuse
Adjective
-
Florida’s blunt impact Instead of $182 million to support research, public universities would have received $103 million for indirect costs, a $79 million shortfall, and Florida Atlantic University could have lost roughly $800,000.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
-
In another blunt riff on contemporary politics, Marshall hosts his own Tonight Show, by this point in full fascistic uniform.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Thank you Hallie for thinking of me and putting my name in your stupid brother's ear.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
24 Feb. 2025
-
That would have been a stupid question just about anywhere else, but the exhibition was by Laura Owens, a painter with a penchant for trickery, and the venue was Matthew Marks Gallery in New York, whose press release for Owens’s latest outing offered little in the way of explanation.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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
-
The cut is also gaining ground on the Adult Contemporary chart, only at a much slower pace, which is not unusual for that list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Morgan Stanley also highlighted risks such as weaker consumption and a slower pace of enterprise digitalization.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Styled by Dani Levi, Kardashian wore a simple floor-length bodycon gown from Balenciaga Couture.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Its simple style can be dressed up with your best evening wear or paired with casual outfits to be your next wardrobe staple.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Using smaller ducks ensures the meat isn’t too fatty, and the skin isn’t too thick.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
But the real key is that the pillow is thick enough to work perfectly as a stand-alone sleep piece.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This petite pick packs a springtime punch with its dense collection of yellow, red, and purple tulips.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2025
-
On the other hand, Halsey’s smart, dense, often weird music has lately been overshadowed by the drama that continually dogs her.—
Stephen Deusner,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Because not only do viewers suffer through the whitest cast ever, but also one of its most politically ignorant.—
Melanie Curry,
refinery29.com,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Greed could refer to material attachment, jealousy bleeds into hatred, and delusion encompasses similar attitudes, like living a life ignorant to Buddha’s teachings or being dull and uncaring.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obtuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuse. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share