as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
you're not unintelligent, so you must just be stubbornly resisting all attempts to teach you something
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unintelligent
Both of these insults are based on racist stereotypes (the lazy trope and the unintelligent trope) that have been weaponized against Black people throughout history.
—
Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
There’s often depictions of Middle Eastern men as either unintelligent or violent.
—Morgan Godvin, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2024
The stereotypical image of a Neanderthal is that of a brutish, unintelligent and uncivilized caveman.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
For example, Republicans and Democrats became more likely to view each other as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral, unintelligent and lazy between 2016 and 2022, according to a different Pew study based on responses from 6,174 adults.
—Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unintelligent 
Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
There’s often depictions of Middle Eastern men as either unintelligent or violent.
—Morgan Godvin, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2024
The stereotypical image of a Neanderthal is that of a brutish, unintelligent and uncivilized caveman.
—Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
For example, Republicans and Democrats became more likely to view each other as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral, unintelligent and lazy between 2016 and 2022, according to a different Pew study based on responses from 6,174 adults.
—Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unintelligent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unintelligent
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 premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This will include recruiting mercenaries and migrants to offset losses on the front line where Russian forces are making slow gains but at a considerable cost in personnel.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Level 2 charging times with the Premium trim and its smaller 14.9 kWh battery are roughly the same thanks to a slower onboard charger (3 kW vs. 6 on the Ultimate).—
Tim Stevens,
Ars Technica,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Styled by Dani Levi, Kardashian wore a simple floor-length bodycon gown from Balenciaga Couture.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
17 Feb. 2025
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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
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Put simply, many Americans are woefully ignorant about the structure and features of their government.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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There’s obviously ignorant, racist people in Vermont as well, but the vibe in general is way more progressive.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Each new song escalated the tension, which eventually grew so thick that the rappers took mere hours to respond with a new attack.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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Days later, during a news briefing, Mr. Trump brandished an illustration of the storm’s path that had been altered with a thick black marker to include Alabama.—
Camille Baker,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump's plan for redevelopment of Gaza Strip is both foolish and unworkable, not a great combination.—
Baltimore Sun Editorial Board,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
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The bottom line: try not to be weather wise, climate foolish.—
Renee Winick,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unintelligent
Cite this Entry
“Unintelligent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unintelligent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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