as in dumb
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily
kept getting typecast as the hero's dorky sidekick
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Recent Examples of dorky
Disney and 20th Century’s bloody comedy-thriller, which follows a dorky, survival-savvy employee (Rachel McAdams) and her douchey younger boss (Dylan O’Brien) who become stranded together on a remote island, should add $9 million to $10 million by Sunday for a total domestic gross of $34 million.
—
Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, the actors are game, and that’s half the battle — even though the film’s positing Miles Teller as the dorky beta to Callum Turner’s hunky alpha is somewhat undone by the fact that the two actors don’t look all that different from each other.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
Despite the efforts of avid players, The Dude, and assorted poets, bowling in America still ends up with a broadly dorky reputation.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Katherine is also the frazzled single mother to two kids, hopelessly dorky 13-year-old Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Machiavellian preteen Esther (Natalie Palamides).
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Jack Dunn, Variety, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, the actors are game, and that’s half the battle — even though the film’s positing Miles Teller as the dorky beta to Callum Turner’s hunky alpha is somewhat undone by the fact that the two actors don’t look all that different from each other.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
Despite the efforts of avid players, The Dude, and assorted poets, bowling in America still ends up with a broadly dorky reputation.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Sep. 2025
Katherine is also the frazzled single mother to two kids, hopelessly dorky 13-year-old Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Machiavellian preteen Esther (Natalie Palamides).
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dorky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dorky
Adjective
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Part of me wants to blame the NFL for making the players walk four miles down that dumb tunnel after they're picked.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Asking dumb questions is always my thing.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Nothing gets Trump angrier than when one of his underlings is caught doing something stupid on videotape.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But to those going to an upcoming show, for the love of God please shut up when Raye is sharing this story; a quiet room isn’t a license to yell stupid nonsense.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Banchero up-and-down The Magic superstar forward got off to a slow start by opening 1-for-6 from the field, including missing his first four 3-pointers.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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More Americans are heading into retirement without a pension, and are instead leaning on savings accounts and investment portfolios that have become increasingly subject to market swings and the slow erosion of inflation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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July 23 – August 22 Clarity today comes from keeping your message simple and grounded.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Brown said Atlanta was taking away the Knicks’ spray game, which made the answer simpler.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Across the street, through a thick tangle of forest, the Khodymchuks’ building stood tall and gray in the snow.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Not only does the material ensure comfort and support, but the unique design, with thick straps that curve to the exact shape of my arches and a cupped heel, creates a glove-like fit that hugs my feet.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dorky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dorky. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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