thick-headed
Slow to understand
Thick-headed means slow to understand, stupid, or stubborn.
The image is of a skull so dense that ideas can't penetrate: Don't be so thick-headed—the answer is obvious.
The word combines insult with exasperation, suggesting the person could grasp something if they'd only try.
Lacking intelligence or quickness
- slow-wittedLacking mental quickness
- dullLacking edge or interest
- denseClosely packed together
- obtuseLacking mental sharpness
unintelligent · brainless · dopey · doltish · daft · clueless · vacuous · witless
Firmly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
inflexible · adamant · willful · intransigent · unbending · immovable · uncompromising · recalcitrant
dim-witted
Lacking intelligence or quickness
- slow-wittedLacking mental quickness
- dullLacking edge or interest
- denseClosely packed together
obtuse · unintelligent · brainless · dopey · doltish · daft · clueless · vacuous · witless · simpleminded
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- bullheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- pigheadedStubbornly refusing to yield
- mulishStubbornly refusing to yield
headstrong · inflexible · adamant · willful · intransigent · unbending · immovable · uncompromising · recalcitrant · obdurate
thick-headedsharp
Fine-edged, or astute
quick-witted · intelligent · clever · bright · smart
thick-headedopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
persuadable · receptive · reasonable · flexible · amenable