1
as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
some half-wit had left the gate open, and all the sheep had gotten loose
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2
as in idiot
a stupid person
even a half-wit knows that ice cream melts if it's not in the freezer
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Recent Examples of half-wit
If one president can pardon his half-brother, then another president can pardon his half-wit son.
—
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 8 June 2024
Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy classic into a farce.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Beau’s brother, Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), a fraction of a half-wit, fires off bullet lists of random jokes for no apparent reason.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 8 June 2024
Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy classic into a farce.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Beau’s brother, Peanut (Kevin Cahoon), a fraction of a half-wit, fires off bullet lists of random jokes for no apparent reason.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-wit
Noun
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Before the show was over, a Black pastor from Detroit named Lorenzo Sewell approached the podium and made a damn fool of himself.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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In my view, politics have become so closely intertwined with the way people see themselves that separating the two can feel like a fool’s errand.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An underrated gem — not enough people have seen this top-tier season — Squirrels Trip has some fabulous vocals, very funny lyrics, a heavy dose of stupid, and an engaging story.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2024
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The stupid!—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 July 2021
Noun
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Meyers and Falconer rescued the goose and left it at a pond at a more suitable altitude, rangers said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Jan. 2025
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More than a century ago, goose was served at Christmas dinner.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near half-wit
Cite this Entry
“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-wit. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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