Antonyms for obtuseness


Grammar : Noun
Spell : uhb-toos, -tyoos
Phonetic Transcription : əbˈtus, -ˈtyus


Definition of obtuseness

Origin :
  • early 15c., "dull, blunted," from Middle French obtus (fem. obtuse), from Latin obtusus "blunted, dull," also used figuratively, past participle of obtundere "to beat against, make dull," from ob "against" (see ob-) + tundere "to beat," from PIE *(s)tud-e- "to beat, strike, push, thrust," from root *(s)teu- "to push, stick, knock, beat" (cf. Latin tudes "hammer," Sanskrit tudati "he thrusts"). Sense of "stupid" is first found c.1500. Related: Obtusely; obtuseness.
  • As in stupidity : noun dullness of mind
  • As in illiteracy : noun ignorance
  • As in illiterateness : noun ignorance
  • As in nescience : noun ignorance
  • As in obliviousness : noun ignorance
  • As in unawareness : noun ignorance
  • As in unconsciousness : noun ignorance
  • As in unfamiliarity : noun ignorance
  • As in ignorance : noun unintelligence, inexperience
Example sentences :
  • My besetting fear was that I couldn't count on her obtuseness.
  • Extract from : « The Greater Inclination » by Edith Wharton
  • We had not, however, taken into account the obtuseness of a barbaric despot.
  • Extract from : « Freeland » by Theodor Hertzka
  • As soon as he had taken up a business, his obtuseness vanished.
  • Extract from : « Howards End » by E. M. Forster
  • Oswald marveled at the obtuseness of this eminent barrister.
  • Extract from : « Oswald Langdon » by Carson Jay Lee
  • Besides, that one particular area of obtuseness was a real part of his charm.
  • Extract from : « Masters of Space » by Edward Elmer Smith
  • He spat out the words with unspeakable impatience at my obtuseness.
  • Extract from : « Lords of the North » by A. C. Laut
  • He thus shows his obtuseness, or his subordination to a higher power.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Folk-Lore » by Elias Owen
  • It is from neglect to open our hearts to Nature, that obtuseness comes.
  • Extract from : « Practical Ethics » by William DeWitt Hyde
  • Affectation is worse than obtuseness, for obtuseness is at least honest: it may mend its ways.
  • Extract from : « Practical Ethics » by William DeWitt Hyde
  • Obtuseness to the beauty and meaning of Nature sinks us to the level of the brutes.
  • Extract from : « Practical Ethics » by William DeWitt Hyde

Synonyms for obtuseness

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019