imbecilic
adjective
im·be·cil·ic
ˌim-bə-ˈsi-lik
1
: very stupid or foolish
imbecilic comments
The imbecilic characters, whose vocabulary does not stray much beyond "this is cool" or "it sucks" …—Jonathan Freedland
2
dated, now offensive; see usage paragraph below
: affected with moderate intellectual disability
Usage of Imbecilic
The terms idiot, imbecile, moron, and their derivatives, such as imbecilic, were formerly used as technical descriptors in medical, educational, and regulatory contexts. The use of these terms in the context of extreme intellectual disability was broadly rejected by the close of the 20th century and is now considered offensive.
Cite this Entry
“Imbecilic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbecilic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.
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