1
as in blunt
lacking sharpness of edge or point
obtuse scissors designed so that young users will not cut themselves
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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
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Recent Examples of obtuse
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
The film is bursting with brilliant performances, but the two who earned the most awards buzz were Keoghan’s slippery central live-wire act and Rosamund Pike's delightfully obtuse, narcissistic Catton matriarch, Elspeth.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024
Which means oh-so-eminent economist Lawrence Summers will forever be associated with the horrifyingly obtuse view that human beings with wives, husbands and kids must be put out of work by the very governments that are always and everywhere the source of inflation.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obtuse 
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
The film is bursting with brilliant performances, but the two who earned the most awards buzz were Keoghan’s slippery central live-wire act and Rosamund Pike's delightfully obtuse, narcissistic Catton matriarch, Elspeth.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024
Which means oh-so-eminent economist Lawrence Summers will forever be associated with the horrifyingly obtuse view that human beings with wives, husbands and kids must be put out of work by the very governments that are always and everywhere the source of inflation.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obtuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtuse
Adjective
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This massage gun is equipped with seven different massage head attachments to provide pin-point precision, blunt pressure, and everything in between.Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 11 Jan. 2025
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Jey Uso’s already electrifying entrance was enhanced by overhead footage, Travis Scott smoking a blunt indoors and even Michael Cole jumping on the announce table alongside Pat McAfee to yeet.Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So ridiculous the referee initially had trouble believing that anyone could be so reckless & stupid.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
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And there was no such thing ever as a bad decision or a stupid question.Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
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Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Adjective
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The Israel Defense Forces have been slow to withdraw from their position in the southern part of Lebanon despite a Nov. 27 ceasefire deal that gave the Lebanese Army and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon exclusive jurisdiction over the region.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025
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Randle has often been slow to close out on 3-point shooters and inattentive off the ball.Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Still, incorporating advanced technology isn’t always simple.Rhett Power, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Turn the heat to medium-low, add the grits and cook, stirring frequently, until thick, creamy, and tender, 15–20 minutes.Ryan McCarthy, Saveur, 16 Jan. 2025
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Some of the cables he’s found are as thick as a pinky finger and, when attached to the right tree, are strong enough to anchor an elephant calf.Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Granted much of that California acreage is uninhabited forest as distinct from a dense, mostly wooden city filled with new immigrants, but that’s still eight times the size, a bigger area than than occupied by Manhattan.The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
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Arnold told the Statesman by phone that the cottages are more dense than other single-family homes and sit on smaller lots, keeping costs down for builders and future residents alike.Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who says she wasn't properly screened is either ignorant or has an agenda.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Who would go out of their way to remain ignorant in the face of an informative lecture on bunker oil?Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near obtuse
Cite this Entry
“Obtuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtuse. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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