boneheaded

adjective

as in stupid
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a product with a warning label that even the most boneheaded consumer should be able to understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 boneheaded The Soviet Union was struggling with the costs of boneheaded decisions such as the invasion of Afghanistan and the deployment of new and extremely threatening Soviet nuclear weapons in Europe. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 Even inspirational leaders make boneheaded calls, as with firing an innovative defense minister. — Max Boot, Washington Post, 20 July 2026 My most most boneheaded comment. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 And there was always something frustrating, always kind of a boneheaded play or a draft pick or something that just kept us from [winning]. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026 Vile’s shaggy-dog spirituality reaches new heights of beautiful, boneheaded simplicity on his latest. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 As anyone who watches nineties-era romantic comedies knows, there’s a fine line between charming overtures and boneheaded actions that result in deep psychological wounds. — Frederick Dreier, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026 Defensively, he has been known for making exceptional plays but also making boneheaded mistakes. — Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 Why sane people don’t run for office, a boneheaded move from an Arizona lawmaker and fallout from a Minnesota shooting. — Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boneheaded
  1. stupid
  2. dumb
  3. slow
  4. simple
Adjective
  • Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.
    — Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • America’s Semiquincentennial was celebrated across the country this summer with big, dumb, gluttonous fun.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But the attention on Cunningham’s comments, the contrived outrage over a fictional trans athlete draft and dumb stunts by former NBA players may have helped drive more folks toward watching the league’s games.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • Reseeding helps block weed growth, repel lawn diseases, slow soil erosion, and strengthen growth in bare patches.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Critical thinking is based on the need for a deliberate, slow, self-regulatory pause.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Waist circumference is one simple way to estimate visceral fat.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • From a straightforward season-long points race to giving the points leader a cushion on the leaderboard, and now the simple format of awarding the FedEx Cup to the winner of the Tour Championship, the postseason has long needed a boost.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of simple

Browse Nearby Words

bonehead
boneheaded
boneheadedness
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Cite this Entry

“Boneheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boneheaded. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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