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
-
Both arenas are designed around performers, sometimes made to look the fool and other times a noble voice of the people, but where one lands always depends on the moment in which a joke or plea is delivered.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Don’t let the shiny patent black leather fool you, though.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Feb. 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
-
The stupid!—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 July 2021
Noun
-
The zoo learned of the case of highly pathogenic avian flu (HPAI) on Tuesday after test results came back on the goose, which had died on the grounds.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The goose appeared to have reached that altitude by a combination of flying and walking, rangers in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Half-wit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-wit. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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