Meaning & use
obtuse
Slow to understand things that are obvious to other people; also, an angle greater than 90 degrees.
See it in a sentence
He seemed deliberately obtuse, ignoring every hint that his plan wouldn't work.
A triangle with one obtuse angle cannot also have a right angle.
A note on using this word
Calling a person obtuse is an insult implying willful stupidity, distinct from its neutral geometric meaning describing an angle.
Words with a similar meaning
denseslow-witted
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Describing an angle that measures more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.
The roof's obtuse angle made the attic space feel wider than expected.
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