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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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William Higgins New Smyrna Beach The president of the United States has allowed an ex-KGB agent to show the world what a fool the United States has for a president.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Everything ever published has the fingerprints of many many people—don’t fool yourself into thinking anything comes into this world fully formed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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So, the parallel thing that I’ve been frustrated by recently is not just calling Trump stupid, but calling Trump voters stupid.—
Drew Broussard
May 22,
Literary Hub,
22 May 2025
-
Sometimes too stupid is actually smartski but sometimes is just stupid stupid.—
Caroline Downey,
National Review,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The short’s synopsis reads: After the death of her husband, Janet decides to distract herself by rearing a goose, which is to be the centrepiece of her Christmas dinner.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
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One industry executive speaking on background said the project effectively sent the country’s banking industry on a wild goose chase.—
Aaron Stanley,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But not as a cartoon metal maniac chomping on bat flesh.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
-
Imagine if zombies were just humans who their intellect, but are also homicidal maniacs.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-wit. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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