DUD Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

dud 1 of 2

noun

ˈdəd

Definition of dud

as in disaster

something that has failed our first attempt was a complete dud, so we had to start over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clothes

duds plural covering for the human body those are some pretty fancy duds you're wearing

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in things

duds plural transportable items that one owns you have one hour to pack up your duds and clear out of here

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dud

2 of 2

adjective

as in defective

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dud

Noun

Since Teresa was a dud, Chanel Ayan volunteers instead, confident that this guy won’t be able to guess someone from her village. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026 The latest offensive dud spoiled a defensive effort in which the Chargers limited Allen to 204 yards passing and being sacked four times. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Adjective

In a dud finale against the Detroit Lions in 1991, Wolford got rolled up and suffered a high-ankle sprain that hobbled him throughout the postseason. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026 Duplass’ Michael is a dud, sorta sweet but totally spineless. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dud

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dud

Noun

Residents, meanwhile, can give firefighters the best shot at stopping a potential disaster by clearing flammable vegetation in their yards and fire-hardening their homes.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The goal, ultimately, is not to eat our way out of an ecological disaster.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The rise of cheaper fashion and athletic clothing subsequently put pressure on premium denim.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Thrifting, attending clothing swaps and raiding friends' and family members' closets are all ways to avoid buying new costumes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of clothing

Noun

Born in 1888, Jim Casey spent his life, starting at the tender age of eleven, thinking about how to deliver things more efficiently.

— Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
New York — Brett Smiley was elected mayor of Providence in 2022 on a pledge to build more housing and get things done in Rhode Island’s capital city.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of things

Adjective

Some 104,643 defective pens were returned in the first 8 months of sales.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
If the report is so defective that nobody should rely on it, release it alongside the state’s criticisms and let lawmakers, journalists, insurance experts and Floridians examine both.

— Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of defective

Noun

Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Noun

Sparkling metallic accents and starry motifs light up a halter dress, a sophisticated pajama pantsuit or a sheer chiffon gown with billowing sleeves, and sequins shine on a short sleeveless dress through a festive lens.

— Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Well, that Attersee dress—last April or something, the alert popped up.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of dress

Adjective

But what an imaginative launching pad to interrogate the nature of greatness, the unsatisfactory acknowledgements of one’s own mediocrity, the seemingly unjust parceling out of genius from God.

— Doni Wilson, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026
For City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, the investigation’s conclusion was unsatisfactory.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsatisfactory

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ducts

dud

dude

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Style

“Dud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dud. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dud

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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