WITLESS Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

witless

adjective

ˈwit-ləs

Definition of witless

as in dumb

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily a dog so witless that it is barely trainable

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stupid

showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment a witless decision to relocate to the other side of the country without even the prospect of a job

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 witless What the obsequious emails to Epstein seem to illustrate is that many people with influence were willing to overlook his crimes, horrific behavior, and witless observations as long as there was something in it for them. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025 Austin doesn't even seem to register his witless neighbor's lack of social skills until Craig punches his lights out—supposedly in fun—during a guys' night get-together. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 May 2025 Witherspoon’s timing is whip-crack good, and Ferrell’s is, too, on a different wavelength, even when the material’s settling for surprisingly witless profanity punchlines that don’t quiiiiite qualify as actual jokes. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 But this latest effort, premiering on Prime Video, proves a relentlessly vulgar and witless affair that not even the talents of stars Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon and a comedically gifted supporting cast can rescue. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for witless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for witless

Adjective

California is flush with dumb money and bad judgment, and an insatiable romance with an epic 1,200-mile shoreline.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
There were so many strangers ready to weigh in on my dumb life choices!

— Sara Vilkomerson, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of dumb

Adjective

On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
In particular, he was asked about Netflix’s slower growth (2% year-over-year growth in user engagement during the first half in 2026).

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of slow

Adjective

The feds gave the state a silly 48-hour deadline to agree to change constitutional law, dump common sense and sequester these 20,000 ballots, if they were even returned, to double-check they were cast by valid voters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Performed by legends Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, the silly song is a tongue-twister for kiddos, and the titular word, which means ‘extraordinarily good, wonderful’ even made its way into some real deal dictionaries.

— Stephanie Ganz Published, Parents, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of silly

Adjective

Some people in the White House treated Jackie as a cipher, ignorant of almost everything happening.

— Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
And in a world increasingly populated by people who are absolutely certain that everyone who disagrees with them is either ignorant or immoral, our universities could use considerably more of all three.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignorant

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
And Saturday’s win proved that his plan to pursue championships — something that seemed absurd amid a lost 2025 season — has a real possibility of paying off with one.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of absurd

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with young

witless

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“Witless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/witless. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of witless

adjective

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