180+ Synonyms for "Stupid" with Examples | Another Word for “Stupid” • 7ESL (2024)

Last updated on May 9, 2024 by Emma Grace

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

Pin

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 wasstupid.”
• “Playing with fireworks indoors is an incrediblystupididea.”

List of Synonyms for Stupid

• Absurd
• Airhead
• Awkward
• Backward
• Balmy
• Barmy
• Batty
• Blind
• Block-headed
• Bloody
• Blunt
• Bonehead
• Boneheaded
• Boring
• Bovine
• Brainless
• Childish
• Clod
• Cloddish
• co*ckeyed
• Confused
• Coot
• Crackpot
• Crass
• Crazy
• Credulous
• Cretin
• Crossbow
• Cuckoo
• Daffy
• Daft
• Dazed
• Deficient
• Delayed
• Dense
• Dim
• Dim-witted
• Dippy
• Dizzy
• Dolt
• Doltish
• Dope
• Dopey
• Dotard
• Dotty
• Douche
• Dozy
• Dry
• Dull
• Dullard
• Dull-witted
• Dumb
• Dumb-ass
• Dumbbell
• Dumber
• Dummy
• Dunce
• Empty
• Empty-headed
• Farcical
• Fat
• Fatheaded
• Fatuous
• Feeble-minded
• Flat
• Fool
• Foolish
• Frivolous
• Funny
• Futile
• Goofball
• Goofing
• Goofy
• Gormless
• Gullible
• Half-assed
• Half-baked
• Half-witted
• Harebrained
• Hare-brained
• Heavy
• Ho-hum
• Humdrum
• Idiot
• Idiotic
• Ignorant
• Ill-advised
• Illogical
• Imbecile
• Imbecilic
• Impoverished
• Inane
• Inept
• Injudicious
• Insane
• Insensitive
• Insipid
• Irksome
• Irrational
• Irresponsible
• Jagoff
• Jejune
• Jerkoff
• Jerky
• Lame
• Laughable
• Lean
• Lethargic
• Light-headed
• Loggerhead
• Loony
• Loser
• Ludicrous
• Lumpish
• Lunatic
• Mad
• Madcap
• Meaningless
• Mindless
• Miserable
• Monotonous
• Moronic
• Nincompoop
• Nonsensical
• Nuts
• Nutty
• Obtuse
• Outlandish
• Pathetic
• Pillock
• Pinhead
• Pointless
• Poor
• Preposterous
• Prosaic
• Rash
• Retarded
• Ridicule
• Ridiculous
• Ridiculousness
• Risible
• Sappy
• Screwball
• Screwy
• Senseless
• Shallow
• Short-sighted
• Silly
• Simple
• Simpleminded
• Simple-minded
• Slow
• Slow-witted
• Sluggish
• Soft
• Stolid
• Stunned
• Stupefied
• Tedious
• Thick
• Thickheaded
• Thick-headed
• Thick-witted
• Thoughtless
• Tiresome
• Torpid
• Twit
• Unfortunate
• Unimaginative
• Unintelligent
• Uninteresting
• Unreasonable
• Unthinking
• Unwise
• Useless
• Vacuous
• Vapid
• Wacky
• Weak
• Weak-minded
• Wild
• Witless
• Wrong
• Zany

Types of Synonyms for Stupid

Foolish

• Imprudent
• Senseless
• Unwise

Dull

• Slow-witted
• Dim-witted
• Obtuse

Ignorant

• Uninformed
• Unaware
• Uneducated

Senseless

• Irrational
• Nonsensical
• Absurd

Silly

• Ridiculous
• Absurd
• Ludicrous

Common Synonyms for Stupid

Stupid vs. Crazy

Crazysuggests behavior that is wildly irrational or indicative of mental instability, whereasstupidgenerally refers to a lack of intelligence or common sense. You would usecrazyto describe actions that are extremely impractical or unpredictable, not simply unintelligent.

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

Stupid vs. Foolish

Whilestupidimplies a deeper lack of understanding or intellectual capability,foolishis often about behavior that ignores sense or judgment. A person may actfoolishin a momentary lapse, but being described asstupidoften infers an ongoing inability to comprehend or learn.

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

Stupid vs. Silly

Calling somethingsillyimplies a light-hearted or trivial lack of seriousness or wisdom. It’s less severe thanstupid, which connotes a more significant deficit in understanding or intelligence. Usesillywhen the situation or action is not grave enough to warrant a stronger word likestupid.

• “It was stupidof me to forget my passport before the international flight.”
• “Their sillypranks and jokes lightened the mood during the stressful workday.”

Stupid vs. Insane

Insaneis 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, asinsanehas specific and serious connotations.

• “It was stupidto 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.

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.

Related:

• Unusual Synonym
• Sad Synonym
• Afraid Synonym