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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 stupid
Adjective
Adebayo was repeatedly the attacker threatening to make the stand-in look stupid, but none of the drama came to fruition. Beren Cross, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 Amelia soon decides that stupid boys (and humans in general) aren't worth keeping around. Nick Romano, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
It is described as a stupid-kids-in-the-woods story with a wry twist. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 20 Sep. 2022 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 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
  • These anything but boring side dishes let the bounty of the season shine in new and exciting ways.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Take it from this guy, who bought the beautiful Starfield limited-edition Xbox controller, headset, and console wrap for over $200, only to play the game and dump it after 20 boring hours.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While tailback isn’t a need, only foolish franchises pass up adding generational talents such as Jeanty.
    Omar Kelly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Samsung is neck and neck with Google, but its updates are often slower and more limited on older phones.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The building Celine now occupies what used to be a slow pop-up for Dior and Loro Piana.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, many on the internet have identified this week as a particularly tiring one for Black K-pop fans.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Of course, going from shows to pickleball classes to after-hours jam sessions at B.B. King’s Blues Club can be tiring.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This strategy worked for him for about 10 years—and then began to bore him silly.
    Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Props to the people who green-lit Angry Birds to give kids a silly movie about infanticide.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The simplest way, Studholme suggests, is to use one group of neutrals or a tone on tone graduation of the same color, such as Pigeon, Blue Gray, Muzzle and Cromarty from Farrow & Ball, for example.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Asked who’d buy these gold cards during an Oval Office meeting with reporters in February, Trump had a simple answer.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Not content just to confirm its arrival, Veach deftly sliced a slit in the plastic to minimize any potential forensic trail, removed the new game and swapped in the old version before carefully rewrapping it.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In contrast, older generations started saving much later, with boomers beginning at an average age of 37 and with plans to retire at 72.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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