toothless

[tooth-lis]

adjective

1. lacking teeth. tooth.

2. without a serrated edge, as a saw.

3. lacking in force or sharpness; dull; ineffectual.

   a toothless argument.

Other Word Forms

• toothlessly adverb
• toothlessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toothless¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; tooth, -less

Example Sentences

Not all ghost stories need to be scary—or toothless dark romantasy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While the government has agreed to back loans for JLR to support suppliers, Evtec's Mr Roberts said the policy was a "toothless solution".

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Andy looks like a human adult but behaves like an awkward, stammering middle-schooler eager to ingratiate himself with his peers by telling toothless jokes straight out of a Scholastic pun manual.

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Advocates and some lawmakers say a toothless enforcement system is often to blame.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Besides, treating topical humor in the same way that a toothless, mangy mutt gums a dumpster bone is not the same as maintaining neutrality.

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Related Words

• flat