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

Relevance

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

Try This Instead

For
Try This
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
Ugh, get this man off of my television and never let him and his stupid little chin beard near me again. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2025 On their face, conspiracy theories can seem stupid, like vapid online chatter. Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Noun
People can be high achievers and still knee-walking stupid. Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 29 Nov. 2022 It is described as a stupid-kids-in-the-woods story with a wry twist. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 20 Sep. 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
  • Hunter: The Reckoning puts players in the role of regular people who know monsters are real and can’t go back to their old, boring lives.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Take away the road courses or boring ovals and race more street courses.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Marlins would be foolish to trade away an ace with affordable team control at his lowest value ever.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • Schulman’s characters make enough foolish and self-indulgent choices to fill a volume twice the size of this slim one.
    Book Marks July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Skin Conditions Dry, itchy skin, and wounds or cuts that are slow to heal can be a sign of hyperglycemia.
    Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
  • Without automation, errors are common and reimbursement is slow.
    Duke Chung, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • For starters, the daily office routine was more tiring than what I was accustomed to back in Israel.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 July 2025
  • So 22 years ago, when her mother was pregnant with her older sister, the couple made a long and tiring trek across the border to the US.
    Jennifer Hauser, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • This perky, self-aware, sarcastic and downright silly show caters to both the more traditional Goodspeed audiences.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • Green Lantern is earnest and bright and, yeah, incredibly silly and a little embarrassing.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • This involves flexible decision making beyond simple automation.
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Finally, came from an unexpected source: the tiny, stone Presbyterian church that is one of the few surviving structures of the old Fort McDowell.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Delaying tree harvests and protecting older forests enhances carbon sequestration, making untouched forests vital for reducing carbon dioxide and combating climate change.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stupid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupid. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stupid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!