essay word for stupid

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Stupid – Synonyms

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The word “stupid” commonly defines a lack of intelligence and is mainly used in informal speech. In a broader sense, it can be understood as a restricted state of mind.

Another word for “stupid” is unintelligent or foolish. However, more synonyms will be listed in this article.

On our overview page for synonyms, you can find the best options of synonyms for a vast variety of words that are used in academic writing .

To the overview page for synonyms

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 “Stupid” – General synonyms
• 2 “Stupid” – Synonyms used in academic writing

“Stupid” – General synonyms

The following illustrates other words for “stupid” that may be used in everyday conversation as well as in academic writing.

• Ill-advised
• Thoughtless
• Unintelligent
• Unreflective

“Stupid” synonyms in the sense of unintelligent

Synonyms of the word “stupid” in the sense of unintelligent are:

• Simple-minded
• Thickheaded

“Stupid” synonyms in the sense of silly

Synonyms of the word “stupid” in the sense of silly are:

• Irresponsible
• Meaningless
• Short-sighted

“Stupid” synonyms in the sense of senseless

Synonyms of the word “stupid” in the sense of senseless are:

• Into-oblivion
• Punch-drunk
• Semiconscious

“Stupid” – Synonyms used in academic writing

In an academic context, the word “stupid” is not used. It is rather used in everyday language and has a negative connotation. However, synonyms for “stupid” are shown in examples below.

Are you looking for suitable synonyms for “stupid” for your academic paper? Have a look at the table below with the top suggestions from our BachelorPrint-Team .

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9 Different Ways To Say “Stupid”

Stupid is as stupid does ....

Let’s be honest: other people can grate on our nerves sometimes. It’s unavoidable. But it’s nice to know that English provides us with some helpfully descriptive words that we can use for those forehead-slapping moments when we just need to vent about our fellow humans. Let’s break down a few of our favorites here.

Note that tone is key—vocal inflection , volume, and context can communicate as much as the word itself!

Dumb is used commonly, and as insults go it’s fairly benign . Defined as “lacking intelligence or good judgment, stupid, or dull-witted,” you can usually get away with using this one in a wide range of contexts if you’re not too harsh in the delivery.

Interestingly, in Old English dumb specifically referred to people who were mute, or otherwise unable to speak. The contemporary sense of dumb as “stupid” came into common usage in the 1800s.

Slang being what it is, dope has numerous senses, not all of which are negative. But when you want to cut a little deeper, a dope is “a person considered to be stupid or slow-witted.” Example: “Only a dope would refuse this opportunity.”

This notion of dope as “thick-headed” came from early-1800s American English, when dope meant “a thick sauce or gravy.” Mmm, delicious dope .

The modern definition for a fool is “a silly or stupid person, or a person who lacks judgment or sense.”

This sense is likely influenced by the term’s secondary definition as “a professional jester,” formerly kept by persons of noble or royal rank for amusement. But  fool’s etymological roots actually go way back to Vulgar Latin, when it meant “windbag, empty-headed person.” Talk about an insult.

Welp, there isn’t much room to misinterpret brainless.  Inflection won’t swerve this one in a different direction. When someone’s  brainless, they’re “mentally weak, foolish, witless, and stupid,” i.e., lacking a brain. Ouch.

This one’s a classic. Since the 1300s, idiot has been used to describe people who are “so mentally deficient as to be incapable of ordinary reasoning.” These days, we define it slightly less cuttingly as “an utterly foolish or senseless person.” Use this when you really want to go after someone.

One appropriately harsh example: “If you think you can wear that outfit to a job interview and get hired, you’re an idiot. “

This one seems mild, but it has sharper edges than you might think.

A moron refers to “a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment.” In the early 1900s, though, it was used as a technical term in psychology to mean “one of the highest class of feeble-minded persons,” and was further defined as “an adult with a mental age between 8 and 12.” Brutal.

Thankfully it’s no longer in use in the medical field as it’s now considered offensive, but be sure to keep historical context in mind when you sling this one around.

This one’s fairly self explanatory. Dating from 1635, half-wit describes someone who’s “feeble-minded, foolish, and stupid,” or someone who only has half of their wits. Half is better than none, we suppose.

A good cousin to “brainless”, mindless means “without intelligence, senseless, a mindless creature.” Seems like one you’d mutter under your breath rather than saying out loud, no?

Thick  is about as descriptive as it gets, and humans have been using it as an insult meaning “stupid” since the 1500s. Rooted in the Old English term for “dense; viscous,”  thick is defined as “mentally slow; dull.” A fitting term for when someone just isn’t getting it.

For even more ways to vent your frustration, explore more insulting synonyms on Thesaurus.com .

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day

180+ Synonyms for “Stupid” with Examples | Another Word for “Stupid”

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect word to describe a lack of intelligence or common sense? In this article, we embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of synonyms for ‘stupid.’ From playful colloquialisms to more formal terms, we explore the diverse linguistic landscape of describing foolishness, ignorance, and imprudence. Join us as we delve into the colorful world of words that capture the essence of human folly.

Stupid Synonyms

Stupid Meaning 

“Stupid” refers to a lack of intelligence or common sense. Here’s how the word might be used in sentences:

For example:

• “The company’s decision to reject the beneficial deal was  stupid .”
• “Playing with fireworks indoors is an incredibly  stupid  idea.”

List of Synonyms for Stupid

• Block-headed
• Dull-witted
• Empty-headed
• Feeble-minded
• Half-witted
• Harebrained
• Hare-brained
• Ill-advised
• Impoverished
• Injudicious
• Insensitive
• Irresponsible
• Light-headed
• Meaningless
• Nonsensical
• Preposterous
• Ridiculousness
• Short-sighted
• Simpleminded
• Simple-minded
• Slow-witted
• Thickheaded
• Thick-headed
• Thick-witted
• Thoughtless
• Unfortunate
• Unimaginative
• Unintelligent
• Uninteresting
• Unreasonable
• Weak-minded

Types of Synonyms for Stupid

Common synonyms for stupid, stupid vs. crazy.

Crazy  suggests behavior that is wildly irrational or indicative of mental instability, whereas  stupid  generally refers to a lack of intelligence or common sense. You would use  crazy  to describe actions that are extremely impractical or unpredictable, not simply unintelligent.

• “It was stupid  of him to try and fix the electrical wiring without proper training.”
• “Her crazy  idea to start a business in the midst of a recession turned out to be a huge success.”

Stupid vs. Foolish

While  stupid  implies a deeper lack of understanding or intellectual capability,  foolish  is often about behavior that ignores sense or judgment. A person may act  foolish  in a momentary lapse, but being described as  stupid  often infers an ongoing inability to comprehend or learn.

• “It was stupid  of him to spend all his savings on a risky investment.”
• “It would be foolish  to attempt the hike without proper gear and supplies.”

Stupid vs. Silly

Calling something  silly  implies a light-hearted or trivial lack of seriousness or wisdom. It’s less severe than  stupid , which connotes a more significant deficit in understanding or intelligence. Use  silly  when the situation or action is not grave enough to warrant a stronger word like  stupid .

• “It was stupid  of me to forget my passport before the international flight.”
• “Their silly  pranks and jokes lightened the mood during the stressful workday.”

Stupid vs. Insane

Insane  is a term historically used in legal and medical contexts, denoting severe mental illness and a detachment from reality.  Stupid , in contrast, does not imply any health condition but simply refers to a very low level of intelligence or a bad decision made due to lack of understanding. It’s important not to conflate the two, as  insane  has specific and serious connotations.

• “It was stupid  to try and outrun the police in a stolen car.”
• “The amount of work she takes on is insane , but she always manages to succeed.”

Synonyms of Stupid in Different Contexts

Academic and formal contexts, euphemisms and indirect expressions.

• Unsophisticated: The hypothesis presented was unsophisticated and lacked the depth needed for an advanced level of academic inquiry.
• Ill-advised: The decision to ignore the data was ill-advised and led to questionable conclusions within the research.

Scholarly Language

• Flawed: The methodology was flawed due to a significant oversight in the experimental design.
• Naive: Although well-structured, the argument was perceived as somewhat naive regarding the complexity of the issue at hand.

Casual and Informal Contexts 

Slang terms.

• Dumb : I can’t believe he tried riding his bike backward; that was so dumb !
• Dense : She didn’t catch the joke right away—felt a bit dense , honestly.
• Thick : You must be thick to think that’s a good idea.

Colloquial Phrases

• Not the sharpest tool in the shed : He’s a good guy, but not the sharpest tool in the shed .
• A few sandwiches short of a picnic : She’s really sweet, but sometimes seems a few sandwiches short of a picnic .
• Not playing with a full deck : I wonder if he’s not playing with a full deck sometimes.

Creative and Literary Uses 

• Oblivious: You’re as  oblivious  to the subtleties of this argument as a cat is to quantum physics.
• Inane: The plot of the story was so  inane  that not even the charismatic protagonist could save it.
• Vacuous: She gave a  vacuous  smile that revealed her complete ignorance of the ongoing discussion.
• Dimwitted: The  dimwitted  sidekick often missed the clues, but added comic relief.
• Dense: He was too  dense  to pick up on the sarcasm in her voice.

Absolute and Near Synonyms for Stupid

Absolute synonyms for stupid.

Near Synonyms for Stupid

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some professional alternatives to the word ‘stupid’?

In a professional setting, you might opt for terms like ‘uninformed’, ‘misinformed’, or ‘illogical’ to tactfully describe decisions or actions that lack sound reasoning without being offensive.

What words can be used to describe an unintelligent concept?

For describing concepts lacking in intelligence, you could use words like ‘irrational’, ‘illogical’, or ‘foolish’, which highlight the absence of logical thinking or common sense.

Can you list synonyms that convey the meaning of ‘stupid’?

Certainly, synonyms include ‘ignorant’, ‘senseless’, ‘dull-witted’, ‘mindless’, and ‘short-sighted’, each varying slightly in connotation but all reflecting a lack of intelligence or wisdom.

What terms from the past were used to refer to someone as foolish?

Historically, terms like ‘simpleton’, ‘dunce’, or ‘nincompoop’ were commonly used to refer to someone perceived as foolish or lacking in intelligence.

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'Dunderhead' and Other ‘Nicer’ Ways to Say Stupid

Dunderheaded

Definition: being a dunderhead

What is a dunder , and why do we use this word to insult people in a somewhat mild fashion? Alas, this is but one more unknowable in a long line of things that etymology has not yet figured out. It may come from the Dutch word for “thunder” ( donder ), but no one is sure about that. What we are sure about is that there are a great number of words for “stupid” or “stupid person” ending in - headed or head . A partial list includes the following: airhead , beefheaded , beetleheaded , blockhead , bonehead , bullhead , bubblehead , buffle-headed , butthead , chucklehead , deadhead , fathead , flathead , hammerhead , heavy-headed , idleheaded , ironhead , jolt-headed , jughead , knucklehead , loggerheaded , lunkhead , meathead , muddlehead , pinhead , pinheaded , ramhead , saphead , sheepheaded , sheepshead , thickhead , and wooden-headed .

Thus I pass away the time, and this lulls me on to drudge on the end of the Chapter with this Dunderheaded Master of mine, who to my knowledge is more a Madman than a Knight. — Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote (anon. trans.), 1703

Definition: stupid, silly

Here we have a lovely example of a word which began its life (in our language, at least) with a figurative meaning, and only took on a literal one after more than a century of use. Anserine comes from the Latin anser , meaning "goose." The word is indeed used on occasion to mean "resembling a goose," but the 'silly as a goose' sense preceded this by a considerable length of time.

I am not of such anserin stupidity, but that I could make as ignominions at reorsion upon my adversary. — John Menzies, Roma Mendax , 1675

Definition: a stupid, slow-witted, or obtuse person

The original meaning of blinkard was “one that blinks with or as if with weak eyes,” which soon added the pejorative meaning listed above. If you are a person who blinks often please accept our apologies for the English language, which can on occasion be needlessly cruel.

Poore foolish Blinkard, Beads-man vnto Christ, For restitution of long lacked sight, I maruaile what they fancie so inticte, To be desirous of this lothsome light? — Samuel Nicholson, Acolastus his After-witte , 1600

Definition: complete or utter ignorance

Ignoration is not just a fancified word for "ignorance," but also refers specifically to "an act or action of ignoring."

I haue compleyned before of the ignorance of Greik, & Latine tounges, the Ignoration whereof, no doute, hes moued vs a great part of this busines, specialie hauing to do with men that vnderstandeth not the proprietie of them. — George Hay, The Confutation of the Abbote of Crosraguels Masse , 1563

Definition: stupid and confused, mixed up, or eccentric

The pate portion of addlepated comes from an older word for "head," in use since Middle English, and of uncertain origin. The addle portion may be traced back to the Old English word adela , meaning “filth, filthy or foul-smelling place.” As an adjective addle first had the meaning of “foul smelling and putrid” (specifically said of an egg), and later came to mean “confused or muddled.”

Those who belong to Madam Luna, as Hawkers of Almanacks and Pamphlets, Huntsmen, Ostridge-Catchers, Falkoners, Couriers, Salt-carriers, Lunaticks, Maggotty Fools, Crackbrain'd Coxcombs, Addle|pated Frantic Wights, Giddy Whimsical Foplings, Exchange-Brokers, Post-boys, Footboys, Tennis Court-keepers-Boys, Glassmongers, Light-horse, Watermen, Mariners, Messengers, Rakers and Glea|ners, will not long stay in a place this year. — François Rabelais, The Fifth Book of the Works of Francis Rabelis (trans. by P. M.), 1694

Definition: exhibiting or characterized by nescience: ignorant, agnostic

Nescient , science , and omniscient (“having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight”) all share a root: each comes in part from the Latin word scire , meaning “to know.” Nescience , then, is "lack of knowledge or awareness."

True it is that he offends more hainously, that sins through knowledge, then he that slips through Ignorance: but we may not therefore flie to Ignorance for an excuse: for 'tis one thing to be [H] nescient, ano|ther to be wilfully Ignorant. — Robert Dyer, The Christian's Theorico-Practicon , 1633

Definition: an act of foolishness or stupidity

Bêtise came to English from the French word bête , which has the meaning in that language of "idiot," or, more literally, "beast" (the literal meaning of bête is the one found in the term bête noire ). In addition to an act of stupidity, bêtise may refer to stupidity or ignorance in general.

"I assure you," said she "I was only tormenting you a little, and you must own you deserve that; but you can't suppose I meant half what I said; that is a bêtise I can't conceive you guilty of.” — Susan Ferrier, Marriage 1818

Definition: slow of mind : obtuse

Okay, fine. Why try to improve on a classic?

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14 of the Best ‘Stupid’ Synonyms

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Words, of course, are the tools of the writer’s trade. But what are some good words, perhaps even some unusual but wonderfully descriptive words, which mean ‘stupid’ or ‘foolish’ or ‘gullible’? Here are some of the best, most useful, as well as some of the most unusual synonyms for ‘stupid’ and ‘stupidity’ (and for foolish people).

This word literally comes from the Greek for ‘dull’: ‘oxymoron’, denoting a phrase containing two opposites, literally means ‘sharp-dull’. Someone who is moronic or a moron is ‘dull’, then; but this word is often frowned upon because it was also used to describe those who are mentally disabled.

Originally denoting a substance whose particles who close together – whose particles, in other words, were thickly crowded together – the word ‘dense’ came to be applied to people, and specifically to those whose intelligence leaves something to be desired, in the early nineteenth century. The Oxford English Dictionary ’s earliest citation is from the essayist Charles Lamb in 1822.

How, then, did thick itself come to be a synonym for stupid ? The word was applied to people who were dull of hearing some time in the sixteenth century, and by the end of that century was being used for those who were dull of perception in a mental rather than auditory sense. The famous simile from 2 Henry IV , ‘as thicke as Tewksbury mustard’, is the OED ’s earliest citation for the word ‘thick’ in the sense of ‘stupid’.

The word ‘obtuse’ denotes someone who is slow to understand, or insensitively stupid in their behaviour. The origin of this term as a synonym for ‘stupid’ is easier to understand when we learn that it originally meant ‘dull’ or ‘blunt’ or ‘stupid’ on classical Latin.

IMBECILIC .

An imbecile is somebody of weak or inferior intellect, but in Psychology the term refers specifically to somebody whose mental disabilities rendered them somewhere between a moron (less severe than an imbecile) and an idiot (more severe than an imbecile).

GOBEMOUCHE.

Let’s branch out into less familiar territory and celebrate some more niche words for stupidity and stupid people for a moment. The word ‘gobemouche’ certainly fits the bill: it’s a word denoting a gullible person who believes everything, and is, rather pleasingly, from the French for ‘fly-swallower’ – the idea being that a slow-witted person always has their mouth open.

A fool. Dating from at least as early as the fifteenth century, ‘wantwit’ means a fool or stupid person – someone who ‘wants’ (or lacks) wit.

Defined by the OED as ‘A fool, simpleton, noodle, blockhead’, this wonderful word has been in use since 1500.

Returning us to the realm of the more familiar here, ‘mindless’ is a good all-round synonym for ‘stupid’ or unintelligent: it’s been in use for over a thousand years.

This word means ‘foolish or silly’, although its use is rather rare. It’s found in one of the eighteenth-century dictionaries by Nathan Bailey that preceded Samuel Johnson’s more famous one of 1755.

PHRONEMOPHOBIA.

On a related note, an unusual synonym for ‘stupid’ might be ‘phronemophobic’: having a fear of thinking. This is a rare term, but is useful to know…

ULTRACREPIDARIAN.

This handy adjective combines stupidity or ignorance with the need to announce such ignorance to the world: ‘ultracrepidation’ is practised by someone who is a) stupid and b) overly critical. So to ultracrepidate means to criticise something that is beyond one’s sphere of knowledge, and an ultracrepidarian is one who ultracrepidates.

The word has a curious etymology: it was first recorded in 1819 by the essayist William Hazlitt, who called the editor William Gifford ‘an Ultra-Crepidarian critic.’ But the term ultimately has its origins in the classical world: the Greek artist Apelles said to a shoemaker who presumed to criticise his painting, ‘Sutor, ne ultra crepidam’: i.e. ‘do not venture beyond the sole’, or, in other words, don’t venture to offer an opinion on things you know nothing about.

ULTRAFIDIAN.

Sticking with ‘ultra’ words, this term denotes someone whose credulity spills over into gullibility. As Hartley Coleridge put it in 1849: ‘The great moralist, who balanced an ultrafidian credulity in the supernatural with an extraordinary degree of scepticism in things natural and human.’

INANILOQUENT.

A slight variation on the idea of being stupid: this word refers to speaking foolishly or saying silly things.

This concludes our pick of the best synonyms for stupid and stupidity (and stupid person ). Of course, there are many others we could have included, but we opted for the most interesting as well as the most directly useful here (though some are less useful and some more interesting than others!).

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10 thoughts on “14 of the Best ‘Stupid’ Synonyms”

I might start using “gobemouche” and “ultracrepidarian”. They just sound so much better than calling someone “thick”!

Very interesting, will need to use some of these sometime.

Very useful list! I think I might start using gobemouche, love it!😂

love these new words for my own vocab – thanks xxxx

I feel gobmouched!

What, no mention of ‘gormless’?

Brilliant list! Some of the lesser-known ones must be brought back into use!

And then for nouns, there’s always dipsh*t, dolt, idiot, ignoramus, moron, nitwit and numbskull.

Surely nincompoop deserves to be on the list?

Wow! Who knew there were so many ways to be stupid. I would say I am dense, but really just ignorant!

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Alternative Ways to Say “Stupid”: Formal and Informal Options

Gaining a versatile vocabulary is always valuable, especially when you’re trying to express yourself in different social contexts. While the term “stupid” is commonly used to denote a lack of intelligence or common sense, it’s good to be aware of alternative words and phrases that can effectively convey the same meaning. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to say “stupid”, providing you with a diverse range of options to choose from. So, let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Formal Alternatives

When it comes to formal settings, it’s crucial to maintain a respectful tone while expressing your thoughts. Here are some formal alternatives to the term “stupid” that you can confidently use:

• Unintelligent: This term directly addresses a lack of intellect without sounding too harsh. For example, “His performance on the test was disappointingly unintelligent.”
• Inept: Implying a lack of skill or ability, “inept” is an effective way to describe someone who is struggling to grasp concepts. For instance, “The new recruit’s inept behavior is hindering the team’s progress.”
• Ignorant: While it can be perceived as offensive depending on the context, “ignorant” is a formal word that highlights a lack of knowledge or awareness. For instance, “She made an ignorant remark, showing her lack of understanding.”
• Idiotic: Reserved for instances when someone displays extreme foolishness, “idiotic” carefully suggests a lack of intelligence without resorting to direct insults. For example, “His decision to invest all his savings in a scam seemed utterly idiotic.”
• Imbecilic: This term, though stronger in its meaning, can be used formally to denote extreme stupidity. For instance, “The imbecilic actions of the driver caused a serious accident.”

Informal Alternatives

In less formal situations, you have more freedom to express your thoughts creatively. Here are some informal alternatives to “stupid” that can add a touch of humor or playfulness to your conversations:

• Dopey: Often associated with a charming sense of silliness, “dopey” describes someone who lacks common sense or understanding. For example, “He always asks the most dopey questions in meetings.”
• Daft: With its roots in British English, “daft” denotes someone who is silly or foolish. For instance, “Stop acting daft and pay attention!”
• Absurd: Typically used to describe situations or actions rather than individuals, “absurd” suggests a lack of logic or reason. For example, “The decision to cut funding for education is absolutely absurd.”
• Dim-witted: A lighthearted way to refer to someone who lacks intelligence or common sense. For instance, “She’s a bit dim-witted when it comes to solving puzzles.”
• Half-baked: This informal term suggests a lack of thoroughness or complete understanding. For example, “The half-baked plan to start a business without any research led to its failure.”

Regions and Contexts

Language can vary across regions, and certain terms are more common in specific areas. However, it’s important to note that these variations may not explicitly mean “stupid” and can have different connotations based on the cultural context. Here are a few regional variations, but do exercise caution:

Bloody: Primarily used in British English, this term suggests a sense of frustration or annoyance, but it may not directly convey the meaning of “stupid”. For example, “That was a bloody stupid mistake!”

Remember, always be mindful of cultural sensitivities, and use regional variations only if you have a good grasp of their meanings and implications.

With this guide, you now have a selection of alternatives to the term “stupid” that you can use confidently in both formal and informal situations. Remember, it’s important to consider the context and the individuals involved in any conversation to ensure your words are appropriate and respectful. Expanding your vocabulary and exploring different ways to express yourself encourages effective communication and helps you engage with others in a more thoughtful manner. So go ahead and add these alternative words to your linguistic toolbox!

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40+ Ways to Say STUPID in english

Ways to say stupid.

The word “ stupid ” is often used to describe someone who is perceived to be lacking intelligence or common sense. However, using the same word repeatedly can be unproductive, especially when trying to provide constructive criticism. In this blog, we will explore some ways to say stupid that can add more depth and clarity to how we describe someone’s mistakes or shortcomings.

• Foolish – Displaying a lack of wisdom, common sense, or good judgment.
• Unwise – Making decisions or taking actions that are not smart or prudent.
• Ignorant – Lacking knowledge or information about a particular subject or situation.
• Imprudent – Acting without caution or careful consideration of consequences.
• Senseless – Lacking any rational or logical basis.
• Absurd – Contradicting rationality or good sense; lacking credibility.
• Preposterous – Extremely ridiculous or absurd.
• Short-sighted – Lacking the ability to see beyond immediate results or consequences.
• Naive – Displaying a lack of experience, judgment, or sophistication.
• Inane – Devoid of intelligence or meaning.
• Ridiculous – Invoking laughter or mockery due to being absurd or irrational.
• Foolhardy – Displaying recklessness or a lack of caution.
• Witless – Lacking intelligence or understanding.
• Dumb – Displaying a lack of intelligence or good judgment.
• Clueless – Having no understanding or awareness of a situation.

Ways to Say STUPID in english

Here are some “ways to say stupid” in English:

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In this blog, we will explore some of these alternatives ( Ways to Say STUPID).

Unintelligent: This word is a simple and straightforward alternative to “stupid.” It is less loaded and can be used in situations where you want to describe someone’s lack of intellectual capabilities without being hurtful. It suggests that someone is not particularly bright or clever, but it does not imply that they are completely incompetent.

Example: “He may be a nice guy, but he’s just not very intelligent.”

Simple-minded: This phrase is a more descriptive way of saying “stupid.” It implies that someone has a limited capacity for complex or abstract thought. It is often used to describe people who are not very creative or imaginative.

Example: “She’s a bit simple-minded, so she struggles with more abstract concepts.”

Ignorant: Ignorance is a lack of knowledge or information. This word can be used to describe someone who is not well-informed about a particular topic or subject. It is less personal than “stupid” and can be a more productive way to encourage someone to learn more about a subject.

Example: “I don’t think he understands the issue fully. He’s just ignorant about the facts.”

Uninformed: Similar to “ignorant,” this word is used to describe someone who lacks knowledge or information about a particular subject. It is a more neutral way of describing someone’s lack of understanding.

Example: “She’s uninformed about the topic, so she doesn’t really know what she’s talking about.”

Foolish: This word is a less harsh alternative to “stupid.” It suggests that someone has made a poor decision or is engaging in behavior that is not wise. It can be used to describe someone’s actions rather than their overall intelligence.

Example: “It was a foolish decision to quit his job without having another one lined up.”

Dense: This word suggests that someone is slow to understand or learn new things. It can be used to describe someone who is not necessarily stupid, but who takes longer to process information.

Example: “He’s not stupid, but he can be a bit dense at times. It takes him a while to understand new concepts.”

Naive: This word is used to describe someone who lacks experience or is overly trusting. It suggests that someone is not stupid, but is perhaps too innocent or inexperienced to recognize when they are being taken advantage of.

Example: “She’s not stupid, she’s just a bit naive. She doesn’t realize that people might try to manipulate her.”

In conclusion, there are many ways to describe someone’s mistakes or shortcomings without resorting to the same old word “stupid” ( Ways to Say STUPID ). By using a variety of descriptors, we can add nuance and depth to how we describe someone’s actions or decisions. Whether we use words like “foolish,” “unwise,” or “inane,” each of these words can provide a unique perspective on someone’s behavior and help us communicate our thoughts more effectively.

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Another Word for STUPID: 30 Useful Synonyms for Stupid in English

Another word for “stupid”!!! Are you searching for other words for “stupid”? Here are useful synonyms words for stupid to help you improve and expand your English vocabulary.

Stupid Synonyms

List of other words for stupid.

Unintelligent

Stupid Synonyms Examples

• The questions were set up to make her look  dumb .
• My best friend tells me that I am  silly  to be upset about this.
• I thought the whole idea was just a  foolish  and dangerous delusion.
• I am rather chary of making too many idiotic mistakes.
• Sometimes, you can be really thick .
• He just sat there with his mouth open looking really gormless .
• Stop talking to yourself. If you keep acting so  dorky , you’ll never…
• It is very impolite to call others a dunce .
• He’s a first-class dolt who insists on doing things his way.
• Hurry up, doofus . I don’t have all day.
• Don’t call me a dumbo !
• You’ve got the picture upside-down, you dope !
• Be careful, you big   lummox , you just stamped on my foot!
• Andy is one of the most incompetent cretins I’ve ever met!
• When it comes to music, I’m a complete ignoramus .
• It’s naive to think that teachers are always tolerant.
• It was an absolutely senseless act of violence.
• It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
• It was futile to continue the negotiations.
• He looked ludicrous in that suit!
• He made crass comments about her worn-out clothes.
• His dull speeches often underwhelm his audiences.
• He believes him to be a weak and unintelligent man.
• I’ve really been very obtuse and stupid.
• Don’t be so absurd ! Of course, I want you to come.
• I used to think that Gordon was a moron .
• What a brainless thing to do!
• Don’t be such a clod !
• There’s no smoke, no fire, you dimwit .
• You are a chump ! Why did you tell her that?

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List of Stupid Synonyms in English

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Home » Another Words For “Stupid” | 150+ Synonyms Of Stupid

Another Words For “Stupid” | 150+ Synonyms Of Stupid

In this lesson you’ll learn useful list of synonyms for “stupid” . This lesson will help you to expand your English vocabulary with example sentences and pictures.

Meaning of Stupid:   A person who is ignorant of a subject and of all things in general with the added inability to learn. It is not used in polite company.

Other Words for “Stupid”

• Knuckle-dragger
• Knucklehead
• Wooden-head
• Silly goose

List of 150+ Different Words To Use Instead Of “Stupid”

• Block-headed
• Dull-witted
• Empty-headed
• Feeble-minded
• Half-witted
• Harebrained
• Hare-brained
• Ill-advised
• Impoverished
• Injudicious
• Insensitive
• Irresponsible
• Light-headed
• Meaningless
• Nonsensical
• Preposterous
• Ridiculousness
• Short-sighted
• Simpleminded
• Simple-minded
• Slow-witted
• Thickheaded
• Thick-headed
• Thick-witted
• Thoughtless
• Unfortunate
• Unimaginative
• Unintelligent
• Uninteresting
• Unreasonable
• Weak-minded

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About the author.

12 Other Words for Dumb to Use in an Intelligent Conversation

• Post author: Janey Davies, B.A. (Hons)
• Post published: October 27, 2019
• Reading time: 6 mins read
• Post category: Food for Thought / Literature & Words

With the world so divided at the moment, it seems everyone we talk to has a completely different opinion. I think it’s all very well to have an intelligent conversation. You broaden your outlook. You get to hear another side of the topic.

But sometimes you come across a person who is, well, let’s just say they are not that well-informed. Ok, I mean dumb . But you can’t call someone dumb or stupid. You’ve lost the argument. So are there any other words for dumb that you can use?

Oh yes. Read on dear reader. I’ve found funny words from French, synonyms from Scotland and bon-mots from back in the day.

12 Other Words for Dumb

Meaning – Extremely stupid, idiotic, foolish

Use in a sentence: ‘My father came up with yet another asinine plan to make him a millionaire.’

The word asinine relates to the ass , typically a stupid animal that is stubborn and obstinate.

Meaning – Absurdity, foolery, ridiculous, lunacy, stupidity, imbecility

Use in a sentence: Attempting to dive off Niagara Falls must be considered as the greatest extreme sporting bêtise of all time.

Trust the French to have a classy word for dumb . Bêtise derives from the French word ‘ bête ‘ which means beast, animal or stupid. You might have heard of ‘ bête-noire ’ which translates as the bane of someone’s life.

Meaning – A medical term for a pain in the coccyx

Use in a sentence: ‘He is being a right coccydynia jumping ahead of the queue like that.’

Want a fancy name for calling someone a ‘ pain in the butt ’? This is a proper medical term for a pain in the tailbone or coccyx. I admit you may want to ask your smart speaker how to pronounce it.

Meaning – Heavy, dull, thick, cloddish, lacking in mental acuity, brainless

Use in a sentence: ‘I’m not surprised at his doltish behaviour, he has a reputation for being dim-witted.’

There are so many ways to call someone dumb, and doltish is a great example. It means lacking the ability to absorb new ideas . So, I guess you are calling someone a bit of a Luddite when you use this word.

Meaning – Fool, idiot, awkward person

Use in a sentence: Send him on a gowk’s errand to teach him a lesson.

This is one of those other words for dumb that derives from Scottish and Northern England. In actual fact, you won’t hear it anywhere else in the world. A gowk is simply a fool .

“Conceited gowk! Puff’d up wi’ windy pride!” Robert Burns

Meaning – Dull, a state of mental lethargy, dopey, inert

Use in a sentence: Her hebetude began to annoy her fellow workers.

Hebetude comes from the Latin word ‘ hebetudo ‘ which means dullness.

Kakistocracy

Meaning – A government consisting of the most stupid, least qualified, ignorant members of society

Use in a sentence: Despite having no redeeming qualities, she ruled the office like a kakistocracy.

I love this word . It comes from the Greek word ‘ kakistos ’ which means bad or worst and the English word ‘ cracy ’ which denotes a particular form of government.

Meaning – A lack of knowledge, ignorant, clueless, unaware, oblivious

Use in a sentence: We have to address the worrying nescience of the medical profession and the growing rise of mental illnesses.

Nescience is a lovely word with roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word ‘ scire ’ which means to know. In fact, our modern word ‘science’ originates from ‘scire’, a word in old English which meant knowledge. However, the Latin prefix ‘ne’ means no. So add it to a word and it means the opposite.

Meaning – An unattractive person (usually a man) who is not very intelligent

Use in a sentence: She finally got rid of her schlub of a husband.

Schlub is a delicious word, isn’t it? I bet most of us have come across a few schlubs in our time. A schlub is a person with little to offer. A pathetic person who no one likes.

Meaning – Uninterested, apathetic, unconcerned, indifferent, incurious, listless

Use in a sentence: You could see his stolid nature by the way he walked.

This is an interesting synonym in that it isn’t quite another word for dumb, however, there are lots of kinds of stupid. So it may well fit the context you’re looking for.

Thick as two short planks

Meaning – Very stupid, incredibly ignorant

Use in a sentence: She might be beautiful but she’s as thick as two short planks.

I had to add this because my dad would use it all the time as another word for dumb or stupid. It is a British saying. Basically, short planks are thicker than longer ones. It’s not rocket science folks!

Meaning – A person who thinks they are witty, someone who feigns wit, a person with no wit.

Use in a sentence: She considers herself quite the raconteur, when in fact she’s a witling.

Witling is an old word that is barely used anymore. However, I like it because it sounds like a compliment and you might be able to fool a narcissist with this word.

Final Thoughts

It’s not nice to call someone stupid . So when you are talking to other people who are really dumb, why not use one of the above words instead!

Reference :

• www.merriam-webster.com

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This Post Has 3 Comments

If i call somebody stupid that would make me stupid!

Dumb means unable to speak. It doesn’t mean stupid.

I’m a little less nescience after reading this post

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An inoffensive word for "stupid"?

In my native language, there is a word that has a meaning similar to stupid , but it is friendly and usually used for a close friend or loved one. It even helps the target people to feel happy in some cases, especially romantic situation where the "stupidity" stems from a cute action or misunderstanding.

Is there any similar word in English?

• word-choice
• single-word-requests

• related: english.stackexchange.com/questions/570/… –  user362 Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 15:20
• @JasperLoy For example, when a friend tells me that he don't know what a girl he is in love is thinking, but you are fully understanding the situation, I may say this in my language: "You are such a "stupid" guy". That sentence has no offensive mean, but he knows that he is in a funny situation in others' eyes. –  Luke Vo Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 15:58
• 9 I usually get called "dummy" ;) –  drxzcl Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 18:35
• I think this is a good example of a question that should include the source language and word, and be tagged translation . I would allow it. –  Jez Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 20:12
• Cute action or misunderstanding maybe silly, it's inoffensive because it's kind of childish and would probably make people laugh. –  minseong Commented Nov 3, 2017 at 22:35

19 Answers 19

I assume OP is really looking for a word meaning "stupid" , but with positive connotations (along the lines of "cuddly" for "fat" , and maybe "homely" for "ugly" ).

Teachers, for example, may speak of less able students. But that's just because sometimes they can't avoid referring to such pupils (and it would be unprofessional to call them "stupid").

In normal conversational contexts, any reference to someone's lack of intelligence is likely to be seen as impolite and/or hurtful, so it's probably best avoided unless you intend to be disparaging.

OP might feasibly get away with uncomplicated , (or perhaps slow, simple, naive ), but generally speaking such terms will be recognised for what they are (euphemisms) - so again, best avoided.

One common approach is to "soften" the label with humour. For example, you can say someone's...

one sandwich short of a picnic (a few clowns short of a circus, etc.) not playing with a full deck (of cards, similar construction to above) thick as a brick (...two short planks, ...shit, etc.)

EDIT: Following OP's later comment, it's apparent he wants a friendly/affectionate term by which to address his friend, who's showing a lack of understanding in some particular context . That's not really the same thing as trying to explain to others that your friend is significantly less intelligent than the average.

I suggest suitable phrasing in OP's context would be something slightly "whimsical", such as...

"Oh, you're such a ninny / noodle / nincompoop / etc. ! Anyone can see she's madly in love with you!"

• 1 I really like noodle . It's even listed in my dictionary as informal: a stupid or silly person , yet it sounds like it would be "soft on the ego" – almost affectionate, even. –  J.R. Commented Jul 3, 2012 at 9:42
• 3 You think of cuddly as related to pudgy ? Really? I’ve never heard of such a thing. –  tchrist ♦ Commented Jul 22, 2012 at 0:57
• @tchrist: I personally would never admit to scanning the Lonely Hearts section in newspapers - but I have a friend who does, and he assures me that women there describe themselves as cuddly and vivacious when they mean fat slag . –  FumbleFingers Commented Jul 22, 2012 at 12:08

"silly," "goof," or "dork" all work in casual/flirtatious conversation.

• 5 None of these mean stupid, or even close to it... –  NominSim Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 18:41
• 4 @NominSim maybe not without context, but i think any of those words implies the same thing that "stupid" (or "stupid guy") does in the OP's follow-up comment. No? –  Charles Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 19:08
• I agree that they could be used in a casual/flirtatious conversation, however the OP seems to be looking specifically for a way to tell the person they are stupid. Considering from the comments that the "stupid" person in question is already showing a lack of understanding of social conventions, they may not get the implication. If you add something like naive to your answer I would be more than happy to switch my vote. :) –  NominSim Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 19:11
• @NominSim: silly does, at least so says the dictionary... Naïve on the other hand is more "credulous" than "stupid". –  nico Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 20:11
• 1 @NominSim: I may not call these synonyms for "stupid", either, but I still think there is plenty of overlap in certain contexts. E.g., I can think of circumstances where "That was a stupid thing to say" and "That was a silly thing to say" could both be used. Same for, "Don't be stupid!" vs. "Don't be a goof!" ; or, "That makes you look stupid" vs. "That makes you look like a dork." –  J.R. Commented Jul 3, 2012 at 9:39

I am morally obligated to nominate my usual term for the purpose, adorkable (a portmanteau of adorable and dorky ).

Calling someone a goofball is similar and less neologistic, if a bit antiquated.

• 3 It's been a while since I've used adorkable . I now feel obliged to use it next time my SO does something adorkable ;) –  Wayne Werner Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 18:29
• “doofus” may be similar. –  Scott - Слава Україні Commented Jun 3, 2014 at 14:28

A word that is often used in this context in British English is dope or dopey e.g. 'you dopey old thing!' - affectionate but not too unkind.

• Came here to offer this! –  GreenAsJade Commented Nov 27, 2015 at 11:39

I'd go for the simple "daft".

I've never once, that I recall, known anybody say or take it as offensive or insulting. It's very common too.

Don't be daft! She clearly loves you. Oh, you're such a dafty! How can you not see that? Dave? He's as daft as a ship's cat!

In that situation, you could use almost anything.

I can imagine saying something like "Oh, you mushroom! " or something similarly nonsensical.

Said in the right tone and the right context, numpty might serve. It is Scottish in origin, and the OED defines the adjective ‘as stupid, foolish, idiotic’. However, the first definition in the Urban Dictionary seems to strike the right note:

a) Someone who (sometimes unwittingly) by speech or action demonstrates a lack of knowledge or misconception of a particular subject or situation to the amusement of others. b) A good humoured admonition, a term of endearment c) A reckless, absent minded or unwise person

• What about you are such a dork ? –  Noah Commented Jul 3, 2012 at 1:00

It is not used that much by English speakers these days, but the word that fits best (especially for the romantic scenario as in fool for love or lovefool ) is probably fool which means a person who lacks wisdom as opposed to one who lacks intelligence.

• Really? I think fool is offensive if I tell my girlfriend "Oh, you fool !"? –  Luke Vo Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 16:00
• 2 @W.N. Like many words, fool can be positive or negative depending on the context. When employed in the positive, it is often in a romanticized or nostalgic context. E.g., I'm a fool for you , or an old fool such as I . –  HaL Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 16:06
• @W.N., also in regards to the classic fool in the form of a court-jester. –  Synetech Commented Jul 2, 2012 at 16:25
• 2 In English, "stupid" is considered much more insulting than "fool". –  Synetech Commented Jul 9, 2012 at 19:26

I would use the word naive.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/naive To me it means, the person is not stupid, he/she is just 'inexperience in the field', or he/she is just 'unsuspecting' or 'credulous'.

I'm hard-pressed to think of a POSITIVE word for "stupid". How could being stupid be a good thing? (Well, it might be good for me for someone else to be stupid, so that I can defeat him in some competition or take advantage of him, but it's not good for him.)

The closest to a postive word that I can think of is "simple". Like you might say, "Yeah, yeah, you have all these complex arguments, but I'm a simple guy, it just seems to me that ..." "Simple" is sometimes used when you want to say that another person is being too clever, perhaps making something more complicated than it needs to be, or is trying to fool others by using fancy language to cover up a fallacy.

A common euphemism is "slow". As in, "We'll be offerring tutoring sessions to help the slow students pass this class." When I was in school it was common to talk about the smart kids as "gifted students" and the dumb kids as "slow students". I don't know if these terms are still common.

Another euphemism was that class for less-smart kids were called "special education", and so the kids were called "special".

You could use "silly" or "cute" in some contexts.

But in general, I'd avoid looking for any word that means anything remotely like "stupid" if you're trying to keep a conversation friendly. Maybe there's a word in Spanish that would be perceived in a friendly way, but I don't think there's such a word in English. You can try to make it less offensive by using euphemisms, but it's still an insult.

Referring to someone as dozy isn't particularly offensive, nor does it necessarily imply a continued state of being. Instead, it describes them as not being less than attentive, slow at responding to the task at hand or perhaps lazy. Could it be construed as cute? In the context of being slow to catch-on, then certainly, it could be used as a temporary term of endearment. Nevertheless, continued use could be seen as being increasingly offensive.

"Goob". It hearkens to Goober from the Andy Griffith Show, who was a loveable, yet dim-witted, character. No one I have ever called this took it offensively.

How about " duffer ". It sounds cutesy, and it plays off someone's incompetence in a playful manner. See listing 2 in Merriam-Webster .

I prefer "knucklehead" for endearingly stating someone is stupid.

I've always liked:

• 'Silly Sausage'

Those are mainly Northern English (UK) terms afaik.

Maybe 'Nobby' too, but that's slightly offensive.

In San Francisco for a while people used to say "silly-boy" or "silly-girl," - or "silly-me," quickly, almost as one word. Prefacing with silly- or little- might take away some of sting. In Spanish, with its infinite degrees of diminutivization, you can make tonto become tontuello , "little clown" to call someone you're fond of.

There's also -head , as in lazyhead or puzzlehead or bonehead ...

The least offensive way to express that someone is a bit slow on the uptake is to call them simple . It’s a lot less negative and judgemental than the rest of them come off sounding.

Just don’t move on to calling them a simpleton , because that one’s back in negative territory.

Simple also provides for plausible deniability should offence be taken where none is intended. That’s because although you mean the word in the OED2’s sense 9b . . .

9. Deficient in knowledge or learning; characterized by a certain lack of acuteness or quick apprehension: a. of persons or animals b. of mental powers

. . . you can always backpeddle if need be, falling back on gentler senses, such as:

Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward. Free from, devoid of, pride, ostentation, or display; humble, unpretentious. a. Free from elaboration or artificiality; artless, unaffected; plain, unadorned. b. Of persons: Free from over-refinement, unsophisticated, unspoiled.

Aren’t those — um, convenient? There are other senses of simple that are less complimentary, but having complimentary ones to fall back to in case of social missteps is especially convenient. That way even though you might actually means simple as in stupid, you could if pressed fall back to simple meaning honest and humble, unpretentious and unsophisticated.

Seems like a win to me — at least if you’re looking to be inoffensive.

Minimally exceptional, is good because it is funny. I first heard George Carlin use it.

I have realized, if you have a southern accent, you can get by with some outrageous insults by preceding or following it with "bless his/her heart". Here is an example. "He means well, but if his brains was put on the head of a pin, they'd roll around like a marble on a freeway." I don't know if that answers your question, but it sure seems to dilute an awful lot of derogatory or offensive language.

• 1 Note the tag single-word-requests . –  Luke_0 Commented Jul 30, 2012 at 23:13
• @luke blesshisheart? –  J. Walker Commented Jul 30, 2012 at 23:16

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged word-choice single-word-requests or ask your own question .

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Formal word for "idiot"?

My understanding is that "idiot" is an informal and offensive word in English (correct me if I am wrong).

I would like to use an equivalent word or expression that is more appropriate for an essay with written formal English. Could you propose some alternatives?

PS: Note that I am looking for a word to refer to non-specific people or to a crowd. It should be a clear, but polite or formal word, that states one's opinion about a situation without insulting in a vulgar way.

• If you're referring to a situation, you need to provide a sentence showing how you intend to use the word. –  Mari-Lou A Commented Jan 2, 2023 at 9:55
• An idiot, which is an insult, refers specifically to a person, but a situation can be idiotic , foolish , sensless etc. –  Mari-Lou A Commented Jan 2, 2023 at 10:00
• 2 This is impossible. You can't describe a person as a fool (with whatever words) and not insult them. –  James K Commented Jan 2, 2023 at 10:01
• 1 But you can say that their behaviour on a particular occasion was foolish, careless, reckless etc. –  Kate Bunting Commented Jan 2, 2023 at 11:30
• 2 In formal contexts it's usually better to go for understatement, so His response was ill-advised, ill-thought-out,... rather than idiotic, stupid,... . –  FumbleFingers Commented Jan 2, 2023 at 15:40

2 Answers 2

Oddly enough, the word 'idiot' was once a formal term in clinical psychology. Those with an IQ of 0 to 25 were called idiots, 26 to 50 were called imbeciles and 51 to 70 were called morons. All three of these terms have long been considered to be pejorative. They are often used without causing huge offence but would be highly offensive if used in connection with people with learning disabilities.

As you are referring to a group of people it sounds like you are making a judgement call on their behaviour, not their intelligence. Most people wouldn't be offended if you referred to a group's behaviour as 'stupid' or 'idiotic'. Perhaps the least offensive word I can think of would be to say that they were senseless or behaving senselessly .

You could try a person of low intelligence.

• 2 Although technically correct that does not seem to convey the nuance the OP is asking for. –  mdewey Commented Jan 4, 2023 at 16:23

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Daily Writing Tips

30 ways to say, “you’re stupid”.

I’ve been bingeing on the Shetland mysteries by Ann Cleeves and have finished them all. The novels are set in the Shetland islands to the extreme north of the UK. One of the many enjoyable features is the realistic dialogue, replete with dialect words and British idioms. I encountered several words, some of them insults, that sent me to the dictionary.

In researching insults in general, I came to realize that English provides an astounding number of ways to show contempt for our fellow creatures—too many for a single post.

I shall begin with thirty words used to insult the intelligence.

Compounds involving the head

One way is to form a compound with head, brain, skull , or wit :

NOTE: The definition of wit referenced in these compounds is “The faculty of thinking and reasoning in general.”

blockhead chowderhead airhead dumbhead lamebrain pea-brain birdbrain numbskull halfwit dimwit

Words for mental conditions Some words used to call a person stupid or foolish were or, in some contexts still are, medical or legal terms. The Ngram viewer shows all of these especially offensive insults understandably declining—until the 2000s, when they began climbing. The word idiot shows an especially dramatic spurt as we enter the age of incivility at the highest levels.

idiot : A person so profoundly disabled in mental function or intellect as to be incapable of ordinary acts of reasoning or rational conduct; specifically a person permanently so affected, as distinguished from one with a temporary severe mental illness.

imbecile : (Latin imbecillus “weak, feeble, delicate, fragile, ineffective, lacking intellectual or moral strength”) Of a person: mentally weak or deficient; lacking in intelligence or intellectual ability; stupid, foolish, idiotic. Sometimes used with the medical meaning of “suffering from mental retardation, typically of a moderate or severe degree,” but now largely disused and often considered offensive.

cretin : An individual whose mental and physical development has been impaired by a deficiency of thyroid hormone during intrauterine or early life.

moron : (Psychology) A person with mild mental retardation (specifically with an IQ of between 50 and 70).

Words beginning with D Several words used to denote a stupid person begin with the letter d . Curiously, the utterances Duh and Doh , which are vocalizations intended to illustrate stupidity, also begin with D.

dolt dope dingbat dipstick ditz dumbo dummy dumdum

NOTE : the last three in the list probably derive from the adjective dumb , which in a non-insulting context refers to one who lacks the ability to speak.

Also beginning with the letter d is the word dunce . An eponym, this word was first hurled as an insult by theologians in the sixteenth century. Two major philosophical schools were the Thomist (based on writings of Thomas Aquinas) and the Scotist (based on the writings of John Duns Scotus). In ridiculing what they saw as hair-splitting, the Thomists ridiculed the Scotists by calling them “Dunces” (i.e., followers of Duns Scotus).

Uncategorized insults nincompoop ninny simpleton ignoramus flake twit bozo

Simpleton is an example of something positive being turned into a fault. The suffix – ton turns the adjective simple into a noun, meaning “An unintelligent, ignorant, or gullible person; a fool.” Simple has several senses, one of which, dating from 1300, is “characterized by humility; unpretentious, humble, modest, unassuming.” Now it means, “stupid, foolish, feeble-minded, having a cognitive impairment or mental disability.” Possibly another good word gone bad, ninny may be a shortened form of the word innocent .

The word ignoramus is Latin for “we do not know.” It began as a legal term: “the endorsement formerly made by a Grand Jury upon a bill or indictment presented to them, when they considered the evidence for the prosecution insufficient to warrant the case going to a petty jury.” In general use it means, “an ignorant person.”

Flake and twit seem to combine stupidity with erratic or unconventional behavior.

flake : (a back-formation of the adjective flaky ) a person who is liable to act in an eccentric or crazy manner, a screwball, a foolish, slow-witted, or unreliable person.

twit : a stupid, silly, or annoying person; a fool, an idiot.

bozo : a foolish or incompetent person.

I used to think that the term bozo had something to do with Bozo as a clown name.

The term bozo was used by US speakers in the 1920s in the sense of person , the way we use guy and dude . Here is an example from 1921: “Joe is the bozo which I write all them letters to from France.” Bozo the clown was created as a storytelling persona at Capitol Records in 1940.

More insults in a future post, including the ones I found in the Cleeves book.

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3 thoughts on “30 Ways to Say, “You’re Stupid””

I like “chucklehead”. It just sounds exactly what it means. Seems so appropriate, so often, for those in positions they really should not occupy.

venqax, I like “chucklehead” too. Gets the job done without sounding ugly.

I have to say, I’m obsessed with “nincompoop”. Would love to read part 2!

Unfortunately, sometimes even 30 variations of “stupid” are not enough to describe some people you come across in life 🙂

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Trump rambles, slurs his way through Elon Musk interview. It was an unmitigated disaster.

For a fascism-curious billionaire who loves cuddling up to right-wing loons, Elon Musk sure is good at making right-wing politicians look stupid.

Former President Donald Trump had loudly trumpeted a planned Monday night interview with Musk that would stream on X. But much like the disastrous X-platformed launch of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign , the Musk/Trump interview failed to launch , leaving social media users laughing at the collective incompetence.

Since Vice President Kamala Harris rose to the top of the Democratic presidential ticket last month, Trump’s reelection campaign has been flailing . His childish attacks against her aren’t working. His racist comments about her mixed-race heritage have repelled all but his most loyal supporters. His vice presidential pick, JD Vance, becomes less likable every time he speaks .

So his answer, weirdly, was to sit down with Musk and talk to what would undoubtedly be a very online audience that doesn’t represent the broader electorate. Had the conversation gone off without a hitch, it still would have been odd and largely useless for Trump’s effort to halt Harris’ momentum.

Trump's interview with Elon Musk was an unmitigated disaster

But the online interview went off (the rails) with a multitude of hitches. X users erupted with either frustration or laughter as the planned start time passed, and nothing could be accessed. It took more than 40 minutes before the interview could start and be heard by anyone. It was amateur hour, the last thing a campaign struggling to project competence needed.

In May 2023, when DeSantis' presidential campaign premiered with a glitch-tastic interview with Musk on what was then called Twitter, Trump mocked the debacle , writing on social media: “Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His whole campaign will be a disaster. WATCH!”

On behalf of DeSantis, allow me to say this: HAH!

Forget the glitches, Trump's X interview got worse when he started talking

Of course, things didn’t get better for Trump once the interview was able to proceed. 

Trump says AI did it: Trump blames Harris' crowds on AI, so let's all assume everything we don't like is fake!

He was rambling, babbling on about crowd sizes and immigration and President Joe Biden and whatever else seemed to pass through his mind. He was also badly slurring his words , raising questions about his health, and doing nothing to knock down rising concerns about his age and well-being.

He sounded like a disoriented, racist Daffy Duck.

Elon Musk is no Barbara Walters – his interview skills stink

Musk, meanwhile, has the interviewing skills of a stoned introvert. He did little but cheerlead Trump and agree with every bizarro thing that fell out of his mouth, while occasionally going on the kind of odd right-wing tangents you’d expect from a man too rich to ever be told to pipe down.

I’m not going to quote anything Trump said in the interview because it was either too stupid to merit transcription or a mere repetition of the nonsense he spouts at every rally he holds.

Harris can beat Trump: I was wrong about Kamala Harris. And that's a huge problem for Donald Trump

A big part of Trump’s problem right now is he has become almost unbearably boring. Build a wall. Drill, baby, drill. Marxist, socialist something-something. Harris only recently became Black. Blah, blah, blah.

Musk gave Trump the same gift he gave Ron DeSantis. Whomp whomp.

So for Trump, sitting down with a rich weirdo few people like and slurring his way through an interview that failed to launch was, in the words of one Donald J. Trump, “a DISASTER!”

Musk, with his social-media ineptness and unmerited sense of self-importance, made DeSantis look like a fool. And now he’s done the same to Trump.

Heck, if Musk keeps this up, I might start to like him.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page , on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter .

Democracy challenged

‘A Crisis Coming’: The Twin Threats to American Democracy

Credit... Photo illustration by Matt Chase

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By David Leonhardt

David Leonhardt is a senior writer at The Times who won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Great Recession.

• Published Sept. 17, 2022 Updated June 21, 2023

Listen to This Article

The United States has experienced deep political turmoil several times before over the past century. The Great Depression caused Americans to doubt the country’s economic system. World War II and the Cold War presented threats from global totalitarian movements. The 1960s and ’70s were marred by assassinations, riots, a losing war and a disgraced president.

These earlier periods were each more alarming in some ways than anything that has happened in the United States recently. Yet during each of those previous times of tumult, the basic dynamics of American democracy held firm. Candidates who won the most votes were able to take power and attempt to address the country’s problems.

The current period is different. As a result, the United States today finds itself in a situation with little historical precedent. American democracy is facing two distinct threats, which together represent the most serious challenge to the country’s governing ideals in decades.

The first threat is acute: a growing movement inside one of the country’s two major parties — the Republican Party — to refuse to accept defeat in an election.

The violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on Congress , meant to prevent the certification of President Biden’s election, was the clearest manifestation of this movement, but it has continued since then. Hundreds of elected Republican officials around the country falsely claim that the 2020 election was rigged. Some of them are running for statewide offices that would oversee future elections, potentially putting them in position to overturn an election in 2024 or beyond.

“There is the possibility, for the first time in American history, that a legitimately elected president will not be able to take office,” said Yascha Mounk, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University who studies democracy.

Vote Margins by State in Presidential Elections since 1988

Senate representation by state.

Residents of less populated states like Wyoming and North Dakota, who are disproportionately white, have outsize influence.

1 voter in Wyoming

has similar representation as

1 voter in North Dakota

6 voters in Connecticut

7 voters in Alabama

18 voters in Michigan

59 voters in California

has similar

representation as

Landslides in 2020 House Elections

There were about twice as many districts where a Democratic House candidate won by at least 50 percentage points as there were districts where a Republican candidate won by as much.

Landslide (one candidate won

by at least 50 percentage points)

Barbara Lee

Calif. District 13

Jerry Nadler

N.Y. District 10

Diana DeGette

Colo. District 1

Donald Payne Jr.

N.J. District 10

Jesús García

Ill. District 4

Landslide (one candidate won by at least 50 percentage points)

Presidential Appointments of Supreme Court Justices

Supreme Court appointments

Presidential election winners

Popular vote

Electoral College

Party that nominated a justice

David H. Souter (until 2009)

Clarence Thomas

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (until 2020)

Stephen G. Breyer (until 2022)

John G. Roberts Jr.

Samuel A. Alito Jr.

Sonia Sotomayor

Elena Kagan

Neil M. Gorsuch

Brett M. Kavanaugh

Amy Coney Barrett

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Supreme Court

Presidential election

nominated a justice

Souter (until 2009)

Ginsburg (until 2020)

Breyer (until 2022)

State Legislators and Election Lies

The share of Republican state legislators who have taken steps, as of May 2022, to discredit or overturn the 2020 presidential election results

Pennsylvania

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