blockheaded

1 8.3

Not able to think clearly or make good decisions

adjective
/ˈblɑkˌhɛdɪd/

Offensive

: idiota

It's frustrating to deal with someone so blockheaded that they can't see the obvious solution.

Examples

One of our more persistent and blockheaded trolls insists I talk about Libya.

Blog text (11)
He was so blockheaded that he couldn't understand the simplest instructions.
Despite the evidence presented, his blockheaded approach made it clear he wouldn't change his mind.

Synonyms

thick

vsblockheaded

Offensive

41 8.2

Not very smart and slow to understand

is general lack of intelligence without implying slowness

brainless

vsblockheaded

Offensive

24 3.5

Very stupid and not using common sense

is milder and less extreme in meaning and tone

boneheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

8 8.0

Very stupid and not thinking clearly

is focused on lack of intelligence and common sense rather than judgment

thickheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

4 7.9

Slow to understand simple ideas or instructions

is used for plain lack of intelligence or common sense

braindead

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 7.3

Very stupid and showing little thought

is the less extreme informal term for simple stupidity

thick-skulled

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 8.1

Not quick to understand or learn new things

is the broader informal label not only about slowness

fatheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 8.8

Not very smart or sensible

is the more neutral informal expression for the same idea

dunderheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 7.9

Being very foolish and showing poor judgment

is the general term for lacking intelligence and common sense

muddleheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 9.1

Confused and unable to think clearly

is the plain idea of lacking intelligence rather than confusion

airheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

1 7.9

Not thinking carefully and often acting silly

is more about true lack of intelligence and common sense rather than flightiness

loggerheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.9

Showing very little intelligence or common sense

is the same idea phrased in informal use

ass-brained

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.9

Very foolish and acting without thinking

is used mainly for lacking intelligence or common sense rather than silly acts

lunkheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.8

Being very foolish and clumsy in how someone thinks or acts

is focused on lack of intelligence and common sense rather than clumsiness

pinheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

7.1

Very foolish and often making bad choices

is more about low intelligence rather than mere foolishness

duncish

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.9

Slow to understand things and often acting foolishly

is the broad informal word not tied to school learning

duncical

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.9

Very foolish and showing little sense

is the general informal label for lack of intelligence

wooden-headed

vsblockheaded

Offensive

8.9

Slow to understand or learn things

is more about plain lack of intelligence rather than rigidity

puddingheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

9.9

Silly and confused in the way someone thinks

is simply lack of intelligence or common sense without focus on confusion

featherheaded

vsblockheaded

Offensive

8.1

Too silly and not careful about important things

is about simple lack of intelligence rather than harmless silliness

Antonyms

clever

573 1.7

Understands things quickly and finds smart solutions

intelligent

507 3.4

Able to think, understand, and learn new things

bright

353 1.2

Quick to learn and understand new things

How Stupid

idiotic

Offensive

115 4.4

stupid

Offensive

∞ 1.0

blockheaded

Offensive

1 8.3

dim

Offensive

28 6.5

slow

Offensive

297 4.4

Surface Forms

blockheaded positive

Morphology

blockheaded = blockhead (semi-transparent) = head + ed

The adjective is built directly from the noun 'blockhead' with '-ed', and the insulting sense is understandable once the noun is known.

Etymology

Blockheaded comes from the parts block and head, where a block is a solid piece of wood or stone. A 'block-headed' person is imagined to have a head like a block — hard and slow to think — which is why the word means 'stupid' or lacking common sense.