dull-witted

[ duhl-wit-id ]

adjective

1. mentally slow; stupid.

Other Words From

• dull-witted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dull-witted¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

John Hawkes is a character actor ringer for any TV show or movie, and it’s exciting to see him cast here against type as a flawed, lonely, seemingly dull-witted cop with a mail-order fiancée en route from Vladivostok.

From New York Times

What’s failing us, and failing the world, are the dull-witted politicians we send to Congress and state houses who try to push their religious views on the entire country and embrace a ruthless, predatory, unthinking capitalism, that lowers nearly everyone’s standard of living but elevates a tiny minority to incalculable and unhealthy levels of wealth.

From Salon

Indeed, the sixth season amplifies Inaros' despotic, abusive nature and the way he twists his son's psyche.The same dynamics play into the relationship between the 45th president and his inept, dull-witted children.

From Salon

In the famous description by biographer Joachim Fest, said world leader "always appeared foolish to sage political minds, and for years — indeed, virtually to the moment of his final victory — arrogant conventional wisdom did not take him seriously. The widespread mockery heaped upon him has been justified by his appearance, his unhinged rhetorical flights and the theatrical atmosphere he deliberately created around himself. Yet in a manner almost impossible to describe, he has always stood above or outside his banal and dull-witted persona."

From Salon

There’s the voice that can descend to a gently coaxing tone and then rise to a high-pitched squawk of anger, the attitude that can seem mean and calculating one minute and endearingly dull-witted the next.

From Los Angeles Times