dumb
Comparative
dumber
Superlative
dumbest
1
lacking intelligence or the ability to think clearly
- Her dumb decision to skip class resulted in failing grades and academic probation.
- Despite repeated explanations, she remained dumb to the complexities of the subject.
- The dumb student found it challenging to keep up with the pace of the class.
- His dumb decisions often led to unfavorable outcomes, as he failed to consider the consequences.
- The dumb criminal left behind ample evidence, making it easy for the police to apprehend him.
2
unable to speak
- He was born deaf and dumb, communicating through sign language.
- The temporary illness left her temporarily dumb, unable to vocalize her thoughts.
- The injury to his vocal cords rendered him temporarily dumb until they healed.
- The mute character in the play communicated through gestures and facial expressions.
- In historical contexts, the term "dumb" was often used to describe individuals with speech impairments or those who could not speak for various reasons.
3
momentarily silent by choice or circumstance
- She stood dumb for several seconds before answering the unexpected accusation.
- The witness went dumb under cross‑examination and offered no further testimony.
- He remained dumb at the table, unwilling to admit he had been wrong.
- They fell dumb when the electricity cut out and the room plunged into darkness.
- Pressed for a comment, the spokesperson deliberately went dumb and walked away.
Synonyms:
4
showing or producing a state of speechless astonishment, disbelief, or stunned silence as an expressive quality
- The photograph left viewers dumb with wonder at the landscape's surreal colors.
- They gaped in dumb bewilderment at the scale of the damage.
- She received the news and sat in dumb horror, unable to form a sentence.
- The audience watched in dumb amazement as the magician vanished from the stage.
- His mouth fell open in a dumb expression that made everyone else wait for him to speak.