obtuse
8 synonyms and 11 antonyms for obtuse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Slow to understand or notice things that seem obvious to others.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
purblind
obtuse-angled
Antonyms
How to use obtuse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
obtuse angle
wilfully obtuse
obtuse remark
Etymology
From Latin obtusus, "blunt, dull", past participle of obtundere, "to beat against, blunt" — from ob- plus tundere, "to strike".
Full origin of obtuse →Frequently asked questions
What does “obtuse” mean?
The word “obtuse” means slow to understand or notice things that seem obvious to others. In plain terms, either mentally slow to catch on, or (in geometry/shape) blunt rather than sharp.
How do you pronounce “obtuse”?
“Obtuse” is pronounced uhb-TYOOS (/əbˈt(j)us/ in IPA).
How do you use “obtuse” in a sentence?
Here is “obtuse” used in a sentence: “He was being deliberately obtuse, pretending not to see the point.”
What is another word for “obtuse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “obtuse” include obtuse-angled, blunt and dull.
What is the opposite of “obtuse”?
The opposite of “obtuse” — its antonyms — are bright, intelligent, on the ball, quick off the mark and quick-witted.
What part of speech is “obtuse”?
“Obtuse” is an adjective.
Where does the word “obtuse” come from?
The word “obtuse” comes from Latin. From Latin obtusus, "blunt, dull", past participle of obtundere, "to beat against, blunt" — from ob- plus tundere, "to strike".
How many meanings does “obtuse” have?
“Obtuse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slow to understand or notice things that seem obvious to others.
